2024 World Press Photo Exhibition Highlights the Importance of Press Freedom

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The 2024 World Press Photo Exhibition, a traveling exhibition showcasing the world’s finest photojournalism and documentary photography, will be displayed in Jakarta from August 25 to September 22, and Yogyakarta from October 25 to November 23, 2024.

This will be the first 2024 exhibition in the Southeast Asia and Oceania region. The 2024 World Press Photo Exhibition, renowned for presenting the winners of the 2024 World Press Photo Contest, offers a powerful narrative of the year's most significant global events. 

The showcased works delve into a range of themes including the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, migration crises, the complexities of family life, and the profound impacts of dementia. These striking images not only document these issues but also underscore the vital role of press and documentary photography in fostering understanding and empathy across the globe.

Indonesian photographer Arie Basuki has been recognized with an honorable mention for his photo, “Pollution in the Cileungsi River,” which will also be featured in the exhibition. His work highlights the environmental challenges faced in Indonesia, contributing to the global conversation on pollution and its impact on communities.

Joumana El Zein Khoury, Executive Director of World Press Photo, expressed deep appreciation for the photographers whose work is featured in the exhibition. “Each of these winning photographers is intimately and personally familiar with their topics. This helps them bring a deeper understanding to the rest of us, which hopefully leads to empathy and compassion. I am thankful for their dedication, courage, professionalism, and skill,” she said.

The Jakarta leg of the exhibition will be opened on August 24, 2024, with a keynote address by Nany Afrida, Chairwoman of Indonesia’s Alliance of Independent Journalists. Afrida highlighted the educational value of the exhibition for the Indonesian public, noting, "This exhibition will provide a treasure trove for the public in Indonesia about the important moments captured by photographers, as well as additional information that being a photographer is not easy. There are many challenges, especially when capturing dramatic moments while still adhering to the journalistic code of ethics."

Veerle Vastwijk, Deputy Head of the Political Affairs Department of the Dutch Embassy, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the exhibition's relevance in today's challenging media landscape. “In a time of shrinking civic space, we should never underestimate the crucial role that journalists and independent media outlets play in sharing stories needed for a just and fair society of democracy. The photos in this exhibition remind us of the importance of staying informed, engaged, and compassionate,” she stated.

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