UNAIR NEWS – Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) continues to showcase its excellence through the achievements of its alumni, notably Anak Agung Gde Bagus Wahyu Dhyatmika, a professional journalist who is currently the CEO of the prominent media outlet, Tempo Digital. Dhyatmika’s rise to this esteemed position is a testament to his dedication and passion for journalism.
The alumnus of UNAIR’s Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) is also actively involved with the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI). At AJI, he advocates for independent journalism, press freedom, and the welfare of media industry workers.
Starting as campus journalist
Dhyatmika’s academic journey began in Communication Studies at FISIP UNAIR. During his college years, he was known for his active participation in various campus activities, especially journalism.
“In 1997 and 1998, during the student movement era, I was a campus journalist. This experience honed my journalism skills, complementing what I learned in the classroom,” he said.
After completed his studies at UNAIR, Dhyatmika started his career as a journalist in Jakarta in 2002. As a field reporter for Tempo, he had to be agile and dynamic, covering news from various locations such as government offices, courts, police stations, and the parliament building.
“It was an unforgettable experience to produce 10 to 15 news stories a day on various topics. It wasn’t difficult because all the sources were in one place. A short walk would bring me face-to-face with members of parliament, resulting in plenty of news,” Dhyatmika recalled.
In 2004, Dhyatmika pursued further education at the University of Westminster, majoring in International Journalism and Media. Upon completing his studies, he returned to Tempo, working to transform the digital media landscape.
Innovation and contribution
Dhyatmika’s career at Tempo flourished, eventually leading to his appointment as CEO. He is committed to maintaining Tempo’s journalism independence and integrity while also pioneering the development of digital media in Indonesia.
“One characteristic of digital media is its interactive audience. We can no longer be one-directional. The public must be engaged and active, and the editorial team must involve readers,” he stated.
Beyond his success at Tempo, Dhyatmika contributes to educational innovation through the YouTube channel “Kok Bisa.” He also developed Tempo Witness, a platform empowering local or marginalized communities in collaboration with various projects such as Internews’ Earth Journalism Network, Hivos, and WWF.
As a successful alumnus, Dhyatmika hopes UNAIR will continue to be a leader and symbol of openness. He envisions UNAIR graduates excel in various sectors and becoming agents of change in their respective fields.
“Continue to be a fun, inclusive, open, and non-dogmatic place of learning. The best universities are those that give students the opportunity to learn and make mistakes,” Dhyatmika concluded.
Author: Adinda Aulia Pratiwi
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
