IJTI Pantura Raya Strikes Back: Ready to Strengthen Journalists in Complex Digital Era

Tuban – The increasingly rapid flow of information in the digital era demands the presence of professional, accurate, and integrity-driven journalists. In response to this challenge, the new leadership of the Indonesian Television Journalists Association (IJTI) Regional Coordinator (Korda) Pantura Raya for the 2026-2029 period was officially inaugurated at the Auditorium of Campus IAINU Tuban, East Java Province, on Thursday (18/6/2026).

Led by Muhammad Mahrus, the new management of IJTI Korda Pantura Raya is committed to strengthening the professionalism of television journalists amid the rapid development of digital technology and the widespread spread of disinformation on social media.

The inauguration was attended by Forkopimda officials, academics, leaders of professional organizations, and IJTI members from Tuban, Lamongan, and Bojonegoro Regencies. The 2026-2029 leadership period is the result of the second Regional Coordinator Deliberation (Muskorda II), held the day before, which unanimously appointed Muhammad Mahrus as Chairman of IJTI Korda Pantura Raya.

Muhammad Mahrus, Chairman of IJTI Korda Pantura Raya, stated that television journalists still play a strategic role in providing accurate and accountable information to the public.

According to him, advances in digital technology have indeed made it easier for the public to access various types of information. However, not all circulating information has gone through a verification process, so the presence of professional journalists remains essential.

“In the midst of the current digital disruption era, society still needs journalistic products that are accurate and accountable. Therefore, the quality of journalistic work must continue to be improved to deliver information that is true and beneficial to the public,” he said.

Mahrus expressed hope that synergy between the press and local governments can be further strengthened through open access to information, so that the public receives accountable and trustworthy information.

“We hope that in the future, all parties will continue to provide space and open access to information so that the public obtains accountable and reliable information,” he said.

Meanwhile, Hari Tambayong, Deputy Chairman of the East Java Provincial Board of IJTI, emphasized that the inauguration of the new leadership is an important momentum to strengthen commitment, professionalism, and independence of journalists in facing the evolving challenges of the journalistic world.

According to Hari, the development of social media and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology has significantly changed the journalistic landscape. Therefore, the speed of information dissemination must be balanced with the principles of accuracy and verification.

“Speed is indeed important, but accuracy and verification remain the main foundation of journalistic work. This is where the role of professional journalists is greatly needed to present information that is true and trustworthy to the public,” he asserted.

He also stressed that IJTI holds a strategic position as a partner of local governments in disseminating development information while countering hoaxes and disinformation in society.

“IJTI must continue to be present as a professional organization capable of serving as a bridge of information between the government and the public. That way, various regional potentials can be conveyed widely and accurately,” he added.

As part of the Muskorda II series, the event began with the election of the organization’s chairman and was followed by a Television Journalism Workshop attended by hundreds of students from several universities in Tuban Regency.

In addition to enhancing the journalistic capacity of the younger generation, the event also included a tree-planting action in the conservation area of IAINU Tuban Campus as a form of the organization’s commitment to environmental preservation.

The inauguration of the IJTI Korda Pantura Raya leadership for the 2026-2029 period marked the conclusion of the series of activities while signaling the start of a new phase for the organization in strengthening the quality of journalism, improving public information literacy, and addressing the continuously evolving challenges of the media world.