In a time of escalating information warfare and global polarization, RT Academy brought its international journalism training back to Jakarta for the second consecutive year, drawing over 200 participants from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and beyond to the Russian House on November 30. The one-day workshop, organized by Russia Today (RT), focused on newsroom innovation, media ethics, and the growing challenge of narrative dominance in global news.
The event featured an intensive lineup of sessions led by senior RT journalists and content creators, including Denis Bolotsky, Anna Kovtunova, Maria Zeleranskaya, and Oksana Boyko, among others. From mobile journalism to digital trust, participants explored the tensions between media freedom, national narratives, and the influence of AI in shaping public perception.
In his welcome speech, Denis Bolotsky, Head of RT ASEAN Bureau, emphasized the workshop’s mission: “Our goal is to help young journalists learn real skills and foster collaboration between Russian and Southeast Asian media professionals.”
The program kicked off with Anna Kovtunova, Head of RT Academy, introducing the day’s agenda, followed by Maria Zeleranskaya, who delivered a keynote on using modern newsroom technology to rebuild public trust. “In an era where audiences doubt what they see and hear, technology must not only inform but verify,” she said.
As participants moved through sessions like Making Original Content with No Access to Exclusive Information and Tips for Mobile Filming, ethical journalism and disinformation emerged as core themes. In one heated Q&A, a participant from the Philippines asked how journalists can reconcile the so-called "moral high ground" claimed by Western media with their coverage of humanitarian crises—especially Gaza.
“There’s a global effort to sanitize what’s happening,” the participant said, referring to media portrayals of the Israeli bombardment of Gaza. “We are told objectivity matters, but whose version of objectivity are we talking about?”
Oksana Boyko, host of RT’s “Worlds Apart,” responded by urging participants to question entrenched narratives. “Being neutral in a world of asymmetrical power often just means reinforcing the dominant voice,” she said. “Your job as a journalist isn’t to repeat—it’s to interrogate.”
Attendees received certificates of participation and RT-branded souvenirs, a gesture that added symbolic weight to the event’s networking and cultural exchange. The workshop was attended by the Russian Ambassador to Indonesia, along with representatives from Good News from Indonesia (GNFI), Good News from Southeast Asia (Seasia), and major Indonesian media outlets.
The rising demand for such programs is no surprise. According to the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer, 75% of Indonesians trust the media, one of the highest rates in the Asia-Pacific region. However, the same report found that 62% of Southeast Asians believe news organizations often prioritize sensationalism or ideological agendas over factual accuracy, a concern echoed throughout the workshop.
Indonesia–Russia collaboration in journalism is gaining ground. Since 2023, RT Academy has held a series of workshops across Southeast Asia, with Indonesia consistently serving as a central hub due to its growing media industry and geopolitical significance. In July 2023, Russia and Indonesia also signed a memorandum of understanding on education and cultural exchange, opening doors for long-term media training initiatives.
“This is more than a workshop,” said Nur Azizah, a broadcast journalism student from Yogyakarta. “It’s a dialogue about who gets to shape global opinion. For once, I felt our voices from the Global South were being centered, not sidelined.”
In addition to examining global affairs, the sessions addressed local reporting techniques relevant to a rapidly digitizing media landscape. RT Cameraman Maksim Sirotin’s masterclass on mobile journalism was among the most practical, offering hands-on advice for producing quality news packages with minimal equipment. Meanwhile, Anastasha Wibisono, CEO of Indonesia-based media agency Rusfluence, tackled the challenges of building credibility as a Gen Z influencer amid a “noise-saturated” digital environment.
Organizers hinted at the program’s future expansion. “Next year, we plan to return with more advanced modules and deeper partnerships across ASEAN,” Kovtunova confirmed. “We’re exploring scholarship-based training for select Southeast Asian journalists in Moscow.”
While RT remains a controversial outlet in Western circles—especially after being banned in several countries due to perceived propaganda—the Jakarta workshop was framed not as ideological outreach but as professional development. Nonetheless, the program did not shy away from geopolitics. It openly invited attendees to question media power structures, and encouraged diverse storytelling from emerging economies.
As the day closed with applause, certificate presentations, and group photos, a sense of urgency remained. “If we don’t claim space in the global information ecosystem,” said Filipino journalist Marvin Ledesma, “others will define our stories for us.”
