In the era of advanced communication and information technology, the ability to access and share information has become a fundamental necessity. This accessibility has given rise to citizen journalism, where anyone, not just professional journalists, can contribute to the dissemination of information.
Recognizing the importance of this trend, the Community Service Team from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), led by Dra. Mazdalifah M.Si., Ph.D., along with her colleagues Dra. Linda Elida M.Si. and Dra. Nita Savitri M.Hum, organized a two-day journalism workshop on May 12-13, 2024. The workshop aimed to enhance the citizen journalism skills of students at the Pondok Pesantren Unggul Terpadu SASBARA in Bah Aren Pematang Sidamanik, Simalungun. This initiative was supported by the Lembaga Pengabdian pada Masyarakat (LPPM) at USU.
The workshop began with 23 enthusiastic students learning about the fundamentals of citizen journalism. Communication Science students Farhan Alvadin Lubis, Azzahra Dwi Prananda, and Syah Hendra Mahadi presented topics including the basics of journalism, news writing, and photography using mobile phones. Each participant received reading materials to deepen their understanding of these subjects.
On the second day, the students applied their newfound knowledge in a practical journalism workshop. They were divided into groups and tasked with writing news articles and taking photographs around the SASBARA pesantren. The best group and the most active participants were recognized and appreciated by Dra. Mazdalifah M.Si., Ph.D., the head of the activity. An entertainment session by Rumah Kreatif Mutiara Langit Biru, featuring origami practice, provided a creative break.
Through this community service initiative, USU hopes to empower these students to become proficient citizen journalists. By adhering to journalistic standards and utilizing information technology wisely, they can contribute meaningfully to their communities and beyond.
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