Amidst the rapid flow of digital information, the need for a healthy, meaningful, and enlightening dialogue is increasingly important. This need arose from “Jurnalis On Air,” a podcast hosted by Anang Fadillah.
This program is designed as a space for public conversation, akin to journalism. It’s not just a formal interview, but a lighthearted conversation that explores the experiences, ideas, life journeys, and reflections of figures from various fields.
The approach used is a relaxed yet insightful journalistic style, presenting perspectives often unseen in everyday news.
In its inaugural edition in June 2026, “Jurnalis On Air” featured a figure familiar to both the South Kalimantan and national press: Muhammad Risanta.
From the Bottom, Climbing the Long Road of Journalism
In the conversation, Risanta shared his career journey, starting from the bottom. A journey that wasn’t always easy, but filled with lessons about perseverance, consistency, and courage in facing changing times.
For him, journalism is not just a profession, but a space of dedication that unites idealism with the public interest. From the local newsroom to the national stage, this journey shaped his broad perspective on how the media should function as a purifier of information and a guardian of democracy.
Now, Risanta is widely known for his roles as a journalist at CNN Indonesia and as a Press Expert for the Press Council. In various national forums, he actively speaks on improving the quality of journalism, media literacy, and the challenges facing the press in the era of artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
Journalist Education and Regeneration
One of the interesting themes in this podcast is the importance of journalist regeneration.
In addition to his active work in the media world, Risanta also dedicates himself as a permanent lecturer at STIE Pancasetia Banjarmasin. For him, the classroom is a strategic place to instill journalistic values in the younger generation.
Over the years, he has been involved in various training programs, workshops, seminars, and capacity-building programs for journalists. These efforts are based on the belief that the quality of democracy is greatly influenced by the quality of information received by the public.
In his view, future journalists are not only able to write news. They must also understand technology, ethics, digital literacy, information verification, and the ability to build healthy public communication.
Press, Tourism, and Regional Diplomacy
The conversation also explored Risanta’s activities as a national tourism activist. He currently serves as the Public Relations Officer of the Indonesian Tourism Association (ASPPI) in Jakarta. Meanwhile, in Bandung, Risanta holds a strategic position as Chairman of the Bakti Pertiwi Guides Association, headquartered in Cikole, Lembang, Bandung.
For him, tourism is not just about destinations and tourist visits. It is a narrative about regional identity, culture, the creative economy, and social diplomacy that can promote regions nationally and internationally.
The press plays a crucial role in building regional optimism through constructive reporting without losing its social control function.
Anang Fadillah, Journalist, Musician, and Cultural Figure
This inaugural podcast is made even more engaging by being hosted by Anang Fadillah, a figure with a long history in the media world.
His career began as a radio broadcaster, an experience that shaped his communication skills and sensitivity to public issues. In the press world, Anang is known as an editor-in-chief who consistently oversees the development of local media.
He is also known as a musician and cultural figure who actively enlivens cultural spaces in South Kalimantan. His writings and thoughts frequently appear in various media outlets, discussing social and cultural issues, as well as developments in the world of journalism.
Now, in addition to leading a media outlet, Anang also serves as Chairman of the Indonesian Cyber Media Union of South Kalimantan (SMSI Kalsel).
The meeting between Anang Fadillah and Muhammad Risanta in the first episode of “Journalist On Air” was more than just a question-and-answer session.
It was a meeting of two journalists with different backgrounds but with a common goal: to strengthen the public sphere through healthy, open dialogue oriented toward the public interest.
Amidst the rise of fast-paced and superficial content, this podcast offers something different: a space to hear the experiences, ideas, and reflections born from the long journey of media practitioners.
Through “Journalist On Air,” the public is invited to see that behind the news we read every day, there are people who are continuously learning, struggling, and striving to uphold the dignity of the journalism profession.
This inaugural edition, published in June 2026, is a promising start. A small step that has the potential to become a major platform for important conversations about the press, culture, education, regional development, and Indonesia’s future.
Daffa Ibrahim
