BahteraBerita.com – That afternoon, Tuesday, September 16, 2025, the auditorium of SMAN 1 Banjarnegara was filled with dozens of students enthusiastically listening to the journalistic journey of media figure Ali Arifin. He is not only a senior journalist, but also the editor-in-chief of portalpekalongan.com and banjarnegaraku.com. His presence was not merely to share stories, but also to inspire the younger generation to become more informed and media literate.
Ali emphasized that journalists must be avid readers. This message isn’t just advice, but a key element in his long journey as a journalist. “Read anything, the important thing is to read,” he said. From novels and short stories to political and economic news, all reading will broaden a writer’s horizons.
Reading: An Essential Foundation for Journalists and Writers
Why Should Journalists Love Reading?
In the world of journalism, reading is the primary fuel. Without reading, a journalist loses context and struggles to present in-depth stories. Ali exemplified how, from a young age, he habitually bought magazines, copied their contents, and then reworked them into new articles, eventually publishing them in the media. This habit not only honed skills but also instilled the discipline of reading.
Relevance for Generation Z
Ali emphasized that the younger generation must be more sensitive to the issues around them. He mentioned how the events in Kathmandu, Nepal, were sparked by the courage of young people in exposing corruption cases. “You are the vanguard of this nation,” he said. By diligently reading the news, students will better understand the nation’s problems, from corruption to global developments.
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Inspiring Sharing Session for Students of SMAN 1 Banjarnegara
This sharing session wasn’t just a lecture; it was also interactive. One student, Abizar Rahman Setiadi, asked about the biggest challenge in writing. Ali’s answer was clear: “The biggest challenge is reading.” This statement surprised many students, as they had previously assumed the challenge of writing lay in ideas or style.
For Abizar and his friends, that moment became a new motivation. They were amazed by Ali’s consistent writing spirit, even since his youth. “I was very impressed by how he was able to ignite our passion for writing,” Abizar said.
Important Message: Reading Is a Bridge to Great Writing
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This sharing session conveyed a simple yet profound message: without reading, it’s impossible to write well. Journalists, writers, and even students should make reading a daily habit. This way, writing will no longer be a burden, but a natural part of the process of thinking and expressing oneself.
