The Multiplication Program of Stube HEMAT in Bengkulu supports any efforts to handle the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The policy of public activity restrictions in Java-Bali was followed by other regions from January 11-25, 2021. Then, the activity restrictions were extended to February 8, 2021. The COVID-19 Task Force for Bengkulu municipality banned crowds of more than 8 people. This condition affects the activities of Stube-HEMAT in Bengkulu city, so the program starts the activities on February 11, 2021.
A discussion with Ento Gusmanto, the founder of SwaraUnib FM took place at Pendopo Tris, Pantai Panjang. SwaraUnib FM itself is a private communication company with 80% of its share ownership belongs to the University of Bengkulu. The session began at 5 p.m. with participants’ interview. They were asked to wash their hands first, tidy up their masks, shared their today's activities and who had contact with them. The multiplicator added if the participants felt unwell, he suggested to leave the session and took enough rest. Praise the Lord, that all was well and the discussion continued with strict health protocols.
The introduction of Stube-HEMAT was briefly carried out by the multiplicator of Stube-HEMAT Bengkulu, Yohanes Dian Alpasa. He introduced Stube-HEMAT as a community of youth and students from different areas that enriches them with skills and spirit to return to their regions and to develop the regional potencies.
After the participants' introduction, Ento Gusmanto introduced himself as the founder of SwaraUnib FM and felt happy to join such an event for sharing ideas and discussion with youth. The SwaraUnib radio was founded in 2006 in the midst of the challenge of minimum human resource (limited number of personnel and ability to maintain equipment), but the management tried to maintain enthusiasm among them. The broadcasts continued with their various challenges. In 2015, Radio SwaraUnib FM got the Broadcasting Operation license from the Ministry of Communication and Information.
The development of communication in Bengkulu is fast. In 2006, there was only one place of internet kiosk. At that time radio became entertainment media for family and community but television was still the favorite broadcasting media. In 2010, the internet began to be familiar among people in Bengkulu and Ento saw the significant development of communication. Today, radio is still a favorite in society but television is slowly replaced by Youtube. Then what is the current public problem? He stated that there are 40 mass media companies in Bengkulu province but each has two or three journalists. This is a challenge in the future, the students are challenged to be smarter in targeting the job opportunities outside their field of study.
The public problems as the material of public journalism in Bengkulu are always connected with the era. When the era develops faster, people are more asked to be adaptive and take opportunities. SwaraUnib FM found that the people are still stuttering to respond the development. Bengkulu seemed to be lulled by a variety of conditions that are getting comfortable.
The creativity in food production, services, and handicrafts does not meet the demands and needs. Many goods and services must be supplied from outside of Bengkulu. This is a problem that occurred here and always be discussed in public journalism. According to Ento, the people of Bengkulu are not a consumptive group, but fashionable. Whenever there are new items related to clothes and cosmetics, they will buy the kinds of stuff. The problems are complex and the responses of the people produce various thinking.
From this discussion, the students and youth are expected to be able to criticize the problems and challenges faced by the Bengkulu people. ***