National Disaster Coverage Training for Indonesian Journalists

1.  Project Background, Goals, and Objectives

Indonesia is one of the most disaster-prone nations on earth. Situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire and spanning more than 17,000 islands, the archipelago experiences an extraordinary frequency of natural hazards including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, floods, and landslides affecting millions of people and causing billions of dollars in economic losses each year. North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Central Sulawesi represent some of the highest-risk disaster zones in the country, sitting atop active fault lines, near active volcanoes, and along coastlines vulnerable to tsunamis and storm surge. North Sumatra and West Sumatra were hit by extreme weather at the end of 2025 that caused massive landslide and took the lives of hundreds of locals. Central Sulawesi was devastated by the 2018 Palu earthquake and tsunami, which killed more than 4,000 people.

Despite this persistent threat environment, most journalists working in these regions lack formal training in the specialized skills required to cover disasters safely and effectively, including safety protocols for hazardous environments, crisis communication best practices, fact-checking and digital verification tools, coordination with emergency officials, and public safety information delivery. When disasters strike and journalists are unprepared, inaccurate reporting can impede evacuation and undermine public trust in emergency systems. The training will be conducted through workshops, field exercises, mentorship, and simulated disaster scenarios. By strengthening the capacity of local journalists to report accurately and responsibly during crises, this initiative promotes a free, independent, and professional press and supports resilient, well-informed communities that are better equipped to withstand and recover from disasters, advancing the U.S. foreign policy goal of strengthening regional disaster response and security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

 

Project Audience(s):

Primary Audience:

• Journalists from print, broadcast, and digital media working in disaster-prone areas across Indonesia
• Newsroom editors and managers responsible for disaster coverage
• Participants must be Indonesian citizens or residents

Secondary Audience:

• Emergency management officials and first responders (PMI, BNPB)
• Civil society communicators working on disaster preparedness
• Indonesian media organizations and journalism associations
• Local government officials responsible for public information during emergencies

 

Project Goal

A well-trained Indonesian press corps that can report accurately under emergent conditions strengthens public trust, supports government accountability, and creates the reliable information environment that the United States and regional partners depend on to coordinate effective humanitarian assistance. This project will contribute to a more stable information environment and improve national and regional disaster response coordination.

A successful project would equip at least 150 Indonesian journalists with proficiency in accurate, ethical, and effective disaster reporting, including coverage of earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, landslides, and volcanic eruptions, as measured by pre- and post-training competency assessments. Participants would develop specialized skills in safety protocols for hazardous environments, crisis communication best practices, fact-checking and digital verification, and coordination with emergency officials. At least 75 trained media professionals would apply these skills to deliver critical public safety information during real disaster events. The project would generate multiplier effects by building a cohort of disaster-ready journalists capable of mentoring colleagues and elevating reporting standards across Indonesian newsrooms in the country’s highest-risk regions.

Project Objectives: The project objectives are the specific and measurable results PDS aims to achieve through this project. They describe necessary and pre-requisite changes required to move closer to achieving the project goal.

·        Objective 1 – Equip a minimum of 150 Indonesian journalists from print, broadcast, and digital media across at least seven provinces with proficiency in disaster reporting, including safety protocols for hazardous environments, crisis communication best practices, fact-checking and digital verification tools, and coordination with emergency officials Pre- and post-training competency assessments will demonstrate skill improvement among at least 70 percent of participants.

·        Objective 2 – Ensure at least 75 trained media professionals apply newly acquired disaster reporting skills to deliver accurate, timely, and credible public safety information during at least one real disaster event within the project period, as documented through published reports, broadcast coverage, or verified field activity records.

·        Objective 3 – Build a cohort of disaster-ready journalists capable of mentoring colleagues, with at least 30 participants committing to formal or informal peer mentorship or in-newsroom training activities within six months of program completion, as measured by post-program follow-up surveys or documented mentorship agreements.

 

2.  Substantial Involvement

This award will be a cooperative agreement. In consultation with the U.S. Embassy Jakarta, the award recipient must actively engage with and manage the details of the training as well as communication with participating Indonesian journalists and other collaborators/partners.

U.S. Embassy Roles and Responsibilities:

Working closely with the award recipient, U.S. Embassy Jakarta will be involved in:

• Consultation on the development of the scheduled program
• Review and approval of training locations
• Participation in the selection of participants
• Review and approval of the agenda and content of activities (training modules, workshops, practical exercises, panel discussions, mentorship, etc.)
• Coordination with U.S. experts from ECA's U.S. Speaker Program roster
• Review and approval of social media, traditional media, and other publicity content
• Review and approval of final program materials, photos, and videos

Recipient Roles and Responsibilities:

The award recipient is expected to:

• Develop, organize, and implement an open call for journalists and media professionals working in disaster-prone areas
• Manage a selection process in collaboration with PAS and other stakeholders
• Identify and select at least 200 participants representing a range of media outlets, geographic regions, and experience levels
• Source, organize, and manage experts to hold workshops, participate in panel discussions, and engage in mentorship and field practices
• Develop, organize, and manage comprehensive training modules covering safety protocols, technical skills, disaster science, ethical reporting, digital tools, fact-checking, interviewing techniques, and coordination with emergency officials
• Develop, coordinate, and oversee practical exercises including simulated disaster reporting scenarios, case study analysis, and field exercises
• Identify, coordinate, and manage venues for all training activities, including audio, visual, and sound system support
• Design and distribute digital and non-digital marketing and promotional materials
• Develop a comprehensive social media campaign plan for all activities
• Develop a resource library and best practices guide for disaster coverage
• Plan to expand public awareness and visibility beyond the program
• Provide all design files, photos, and videos of the program
• Provide a promotion-ready, U.S. Embassy approved photo album and video series after completion
• Maintain regular, transparent communication via email, phone, video conference calls, and face-to-face meetings with the grants officer, grants officer representative, and program officer throughout the period of performance