Batangtoru, 30 October 2018 – PT Agincourt Resources, the operator of Martabe Gold Mine, for the second time, extended full support to the execution of the Journalist Competence Test held by the Indonesian Journalist Association (PWI) of North Sumatra, on 29-30 October 2018 at Mega Permata Hotel, Padangsidimpuan, North Sumatra. This time the Journalist Competence Test was attended by 30 participants from various regions in North Sumatra, such as South Tapanuli, Central Tapanuli, North Tapanuli, Mandailing Natal, Padangsidimpuan, Padang Lawas, Binjai, Labuhan Batu, Labuhan Batu Utara, Sibolga, Simalungun and Pematang Siantar.
President Director of Agincourt Resources Tim Duffy said that the support to this Journalist Competence Test showed the commitment and consistency of Martabe Gold Mine to continuously growing with its key stakeholders, one of which are journalists of various mass media whom so far have built a very harmonious and constructive relationship.
“The full support to this year’s Journalist Competence Test shows the persistent commitment of Martabe Gold Mine to help accelerate the efforts of the Indonesian Journalist Association (PWI) to improve journalist competence, in particular in North Sumatra region, so they can perfom and compete positively to create a consistently improving journalist’s world along the fast progress of information exchange,” said Tim Duffy.
Senior Manager Corporate Communications of PT Agincourt Resources Katarina Siburian Hardono said that this year one of the test materials for the Journalist Competence Test was the challenge and potential in the implementation of gender diversity initiative at Martabe Gold Mine.
“Through the Journalist Competence Test 2018 we also wish to improve the comprehension of the journalists related to sustainable mining practice at Martabe Gold Mine, one of which is the implementation of gender diversity. We believe that gender diversity will improve company’s strength and performance through diversity in perspective, development ideas, problem solution, and innovation, which will eventually bring Martabe Gold Mine to become a more successful mining company.”
The chairman of the Indonesian Journalist Association (PWI) of North Sumatra Hermansjah said that the association really appreciated that for the second time the competency test received support from PT Agincourt Resources as one of the Indonesian Journalist Association’s work partners in North Sumatra.
“We expect that other Indonesian Journalist Association’s work partners to learn from Martabe Gold Mine in supporting us in facilitating the Journalist Competence Test programs, because the responsibility to improve the journalist intelligence is a joint responsibility, including that of the PWI’s work partners,” said Hermansjah.
Hermansjah added that this Journalist Competence Test is always a gate to more journalists having dignity and pride in performing their jobs, and in complying withnthe Journalistic Code of Ethics, and all the related Laws on Press.
Meanwhile, the General Chairman of the Central Indonesian Journalist Association Atal S. Depari stated that the participation of PT. Agincourt Resources in execution of the Journalist Competence Test in North Sumatra was very positive for the development of journalist professionalism and competence. According to Atal, the main requirement for a profession is competence. Profession without competence is like an empty can. It makes loud noise but has no meaning, like an empty can. Being a journalist is a profession, competence is a must for it. “The Indonesian Journalist Association expresses its gratitude to PT Agincourt Resources who also takes part in this process in the form of a partnership. I wish this collaboration will continue,” he ended.
The Journalist Competence Test 2018 in Padangsidempuan was also opened by the Regional Secretary of the South Tapanuli District Parulian Nasution. In his addressed speech, Parulian expressed gratitude and gave appreciation to Martabe Gold Mine which never ceased to support the improvement of quality and professionalism of the journalists. “On behalf of the government of the District of South Tapanuli, the Bupati and I are all proud and we give appreciation to Martabe Gold Mine that all this time always builds good relationship and partnership with the journalists and the Indonesian Journalist Association,” Parulian ended.
Other than supporting the Journalist Competence Test event, Martabe Gold Mine has a strong commitment to improve the capability and skills of the journalists in North Sumatra, in particular in the surroinding mine operational areas, among which through Media Capacity Building and Media Visits.
In the last 7 years, Martabe Gold Mine at least has involved more than 100 employees from more than ten mass media in North Sumatra. More over, Martabe Gold Mine has also facilitated several discussion sessions combined with comparative studies to oversee sustainable mining practices at other mineral mine such those in North Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, West Java, and other places.
