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| Director of VOA, Frans Padak, delivers his guest lecture to UMM students |
Students of the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) were challenged by the Director of Voice of America (VOA) Indonesia, Frans Padak Demon, to develop a career in his office. One of the requirements is having very good skill in Indonesian language and English.
"Indonesian language should be very good since VOA communicates with Indonesians. Meanwhile, English is important for communication with a resource," said Frank who had worked in Japanese NHK radio.
Frans presented at UMM to give guest lecture on VOA journalism VOA, Monday (9/26). The guest lecture which was followed by about 100 students majoring in International Relations and Communication Studies warmly took place for Frans also explained various internship and working opportunities at VOA. Unmitigated, for the fellowship program for example, qualified fresh graduates would earn a salary of up to Rp 30 million monthly.
According to Frank, to be a journalist of VOA Indonesia, he would never consider race, religion, and even physical appearance. Therefore, if there is an application that includes photo, the photo will be removed first to avoid subjectivity. "For the VOA, it is not about face, knowing religion, but knowledge, skills and abilities," said Frans.
Thus, Frank asked that since becoming students, they need to prepare for broad knowledge, good skills and experience that builds a lot of ability. He believed that there are many opportunities in UMM to participate in various seminars, work practices, and even work which provides experience. "If you want to work at VOA, prepare from now. Do not look for a course after graduation," his message to the students at the Rectorate meeting room.
Assistant Rector for Foreign Affairs Cooperation, Soeparto, expressed that he had initiated for long time to invite the director of VOA Indonesia. It was not only giving insight to students about journalism, but also introducing the campus to the director of VOA Indonesia. This got a positive response from Frans.
"UMM is a campus which has successfully performed modern and traditional cultural enculturation. The modern campus is combined with a strong religious life," said Frank, who admitted of being alumnus of the Economics Faculty of Indonesia University, classmate of former Finance Minister Sri Mulyani.
VOA Indonesia, said Frans, had experienced a significant increase in the number of listener. His new data said that currently VOA Indonesia had been accessed by up to 37.8% listener in Indonesia. This was because the VOA Indonesia connects with 230 radio and 38 television stations. VOA provides content to the radio and television in Indonesia for free. However, the news given to the Indonesian broadcasts should be excellent in accordance with the will of consumers.
However, Frans convinced that as a journalist he assured the principles of journalism is strongly upheld, namely the balance of information. VOA, he said, not a mouthpiece of U.S. government policy even though it is financed by the Congress. By contrast, VOA also voiced opposing parties so that people might choose their own opinion. "Our job is conveying information from various parties, the society is valuing," he explained. (bib/nas/t_alf)
