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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The International Media Support (IMS) conducted a training program for dozens of journalists from across Southeast Asia, focusing on the application of constructive journalism in their coverage of climate and environmental issues. During the Training of Trainers (ToT) on the island of Boracay, the Philippines, from February 22-26, 2025, Tempo shared its eight-month experience in implementing constructive journalism.
Through a series of boot camps, IMS aimed to enhance journalists' capacity to create effective content and combat misinformation, particularly regarding climate change. In addition to training on the concept of constructive reporting and writing, participants were also equipped with materials on anticipating threats and safety, the application of AI technology in their work, and newsroom simulations. IMS intends for the outcomes of the boot camp to be adopted by newsrooms of participants from Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Cambodia.
Similar training was previously conducted by IMS in Bogor, Indonesia, in 2023. Several participants from that boot camp also attended the Boracay event. Prior to the in-person training, Southeast Asian journalists participated in an opening class via Zoom on February 19. Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Tempo, Bagja Hidayat, and environmental desk journalist, Yohanes Paskalis, took part in this ToT. Representatives from several Indonesian media outlets, such as Narasi, Suara.com, and CNN Indonesia, were also present.
Henrik Grunnet, a senior advisor from IMS in Denmark who taught constructive journalism, had previously trained 21 senior Tempo journalists in late April 2024. In Indonesia, Tempo was the first media outlet to implement this journalistic concept. This new concept is implemented as part of the Single Brand program, which consolidates Tempo's three main products into a single platform.
Unlike the training in Indonesia, this time Henrik trained the ToT participants alongside Ralf Andersson, a senior consultant for IMS in the Asia and Middle East region. The Boracay training was also supported by Fyt Meda, the European Union, the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Norway under the 'Digital Democracy' initiative.
Constructive Journalism at Tempo
Amidst the prevalence of negative biases in reporting, Tempo has adopted constructive journalism, which focuses on identifying and resolving problems. Constructive writing is based on three main pillars: finding solutions, strengthening perspectives (nuance), and democratic conversation.
During the IMS boot camp in the Philippines, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Tempo, Bagja Hidayat, referred to constructive journalism as a new face of Tempo after the Single Brand program. Investigative news, which has been Tempo's hallmark, is now strengthened by more constructive coverage.
"First, investigate the concept, then provide solutions," he said during one of the training sessions on Sunday, February 23, 2025.
Tempo's Deputy Editor-in-Chief Bagja Hidayat shares his experience in implementing constructive journalism with IMS Bootcamp participants at the Belmont Hotel, Boracay Island, the Philippines, on Sunday, February 23, 2025. (Yohanes Paskalis/TEMPO)
After receiving positive feedback from surveyed readers, Tempo's editorial team began developing standard procedures for implementing constructive journalism. From mid-2024 to the present, Tempo has produced 51 constructive journalism articles covering 12 major topics. These constructive journalism articles have been read by 1.5 million readers in addition to 1.1 million viewers of Tempo's visual programs covering similar topics.
Bagja stated that the application of constructive journalism has also resulted in 400 new paid subscriptions for Tempo. Interestingly, most constructive articles are provided for free or open access. The constructive journalistic style is considered to be able to shift the media's perspective on a topic from being clickbait and sensational to discussions that lead to solutions.
"Constructive journalism is not just about journalistic tools, but also about mindsets," said Bagja.
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