Yogyakarta, 7 February 2026 — The Indonesian Justice and Peace Foundation (Yayasan Keadilan dan Perdamaian Indonesia, YKPI) held a Media Assessment Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with journalists from various media outlets in Yogyakarta. This event served as a dialogue space to understand reporting practices on advocacy issues and to formulate collaborative strategies between civil society organizations and the media.
The FGD was attended by journalists from print, online, television, and radio media, as well as student press, including Radar Jogja, TVOne, Liputan6.com, Harian Jogja, Tirto.id, Mongabay, MetroNews.com, Pandangan Jogja, Radio Unisia UII, AyoYogyakarta.com, Joglo Jogja, LPM Ekspresi UNY, LPM Akprind, and AJI Yogyakarta. Attending from YKPI were Program Coordinator Viri, Media Consultant Rose Merry, along with the community organizer team and program administrators.
YKPI and Narrative-Based Advocacy Work
In his opening remarks, YKPI Program Coordinator, Viri, explained that YKPI operates in three main regions, Yogyakarta, NTT, and Aceh, focusing on issues of Freedom of Religion and Belief (KBB), Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), and the environment.
Since 2020, YKPI has been actively engaged in advocacy, prevention, and case handling, including issues related to the rejection of houses of worship in various regions. YKPI positions narrative building as a key advocacy strategy, both through social media and mainstream media.
“The advocacy process is greatly helped by the narratives built in the media. Therefore, we want to learn how journalists work, how communication with media is built, and what forms of collaboration are possible in the future,” said Viri.
Viri also shared plans for enhancing journalist capacity and expressed hope for input regarding training needs, forms of cooperation, and media outlets that pay attention to KBB, GEDSI, and environmental issues.
Media as a Strategic Advocacy Partner
YKPI Media Consultant, Rose Merry, emphasized that this FGD is an effort to build long-term relations between YKPI and the media.
“YKPI aims to encourage coverage of issues that are rarely raised, especially those concerning vulnerable groups. We hope the media and YKPI can work hand in hand to present fairer and more balanced narratives,” she said.
Rose also explained that YKPI strives to bridge the voices of assisted communities in various regions so they become speaking subjects, not merely objects of news coverage. In this FGD, YKPI posed several questions to journalists regarding media commitment, editorial policies, reporting challenges, and strategies for raising sensitive issues.
Challenges in Reporting Advocacy Issues
The discussion revealed that media face several challenges in raising KBB, GEDSI, and environmental issues. Factors like virality, national relevance, and SEO value remain primary considerations in determining news agendas.
Several journalists stated that local issues in Yogyakarta often struggle to gain traction if they lack connection to national issues or are not viral. Additionally, limitations in time, editorial resources, and access to victims or vulnerable groups also pose obstacles.
In reporting on sensitive issues, journalists also face ethical and structural dilemmas, such as pressure from authorities, limited access to information, and the dominance of narratives from officials or certain figures. This situation often results in the voices of victims or vulnerable groups not being fully represented in news coverage.
However, several media outlets also expressed openness to advocacy issues. KBB, GEDSI, and environmental issues were considered to have great potential for coverage, especially when supported by strong data, clear sources, and perspectives relevant to the public interest.
Collaboration Opportunities for Civil Society Organizations and Media
The FGD also identified opportunities for collaboration between YKPI and the media. Journalists emphasized the importance of concise, data-based press releases tailored to media needs. Furthermore, the timing of information dissemination, clarity of sources, and consistency of information updates were deemed crucial for supporting the reporting process.
Some journalists proposed regular forums, thematic training, and communication groups as spaces for sharing information between NGOs and the media. In-depth reporting collaboration was also considered more effective for issues with complex intersections, such as KBB, GEDSI, and the environment.
YKPI is seen as having a strategic position as a bridge between media and vulnerable groups, given YKPI’s closeness with assisted communities. Thus, YKPI can provide data, alternative narratives, and access to victims or communities that have been difficult for media to reach.
Reflection and Strategic Direction
Through this FGD, YKPI gained a more comprehensive picture of the media ecosystem, editorial working mechanisms, and journalists’ needs in reporting on advocacy issues. The discussion also reinforced that advocacy cannot succeed alone without the support of media that sides with social justice.
Moving forward, YKPI is committed to strengthening communication strategies, improving the quality of press releases, and building more systematic collaboration patterns with the media. The assessment document currently being prepared is hoped to serve as material for collaborative coverage that is not only informative but also drives policy change and public awareness.
This Media Assessment FGD marks an initial step towards building a more inclusive, fair, and pro-vulnerable group news ecosystem, where media does not merely act as information conveyors but also as strategic partners in the struggle for social justice.