AGENDA Launches New Competition to Recognize Inclusive Journalism in Southeast Asia
On September 23, 2016, the General Election Network for Disability Access (AGENDA) launched its “Journalist Competition on Accessible Elections,” a journalism competition that supports rights-based reporting on disability access issues ahead of Indonesia’s 2017 regional head elections. AGENDA, a creative partnership of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, disabled persons’ organizations (DPOs), and election-focused civil society organizations (CSOs) in Southeast Asia, is implementing the competition in collaboration with the Indonesian General Election Commission (KPU) and the Indonesian Press Council. The theme of this inaugural journalism competition, “Ensuring Accessible Elections for Persons with Disabilities,” will encourage both media and the public to discuss disability inclusion in political life.
The launch event, hosted by AGENDA, KPU, and the Indonesian Press Council, brought together 17 media representatives and 23 CSO and DPO participants. Opening remarks were provided by Lucia Pietropaoli of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and KPU Chairman Juri Ardiantoro, who formally launched the competition. Attendees then engaged in discourse on how to present rights-based media coverage, led by AGENDA Disability Rights Adviser Tolhas Damanik.
The “Journalist Competition on Accessible Elections” will be open for entries until March 10, 2017. It is expected that the competition will increase coverage of disability inclusion during the regional head elections in February. Prizes for inclusive journalism will be offered in three areas of reporting: (1) News reporting for television, radio, print, and online media; (2) Photo competition for print and online media; and (3) Opinion articles for the public.
AGENDA’s “Journalist Competition on Accessible Elections” in Indonesia is funded with the generous support of DFAT’s Disability Inclusive Development Fund. More information about registering for the competition is available on AGENDA’s website.
