Banyumas regent initiates clampdown on bogus reporters

Agus Maryono ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Purwokerto   |  Tue, 05/06/2008 1:47 PM  |  The Archipelago

Banyumas Regent Mardjoko on Monday issued a memorandum to all state agencies in the regency in Central Java to root out fictitious reporters.

The memorandum orders agency heads and civil servants at district and subdistrict levels not to accommodate journalists without definite media affiliation and not to give them any form of payment.

"We have faced them far too often. Many of them come for news but it isn't clear who they work for," Mardjoko said.

He said a number of his subordinates were often approached by reporters claiming to be from local media outlets with false-sounding names.

They tend to ask questions hinting at allegations, Marjoko said.

"My subordinates told me they would continue asking such questions until they are given cash, after which they just go away," said Mardjoko.

He added his assistants usually paid between Rp 50,000 (US$5.50) and Rp 100,000 to each of the reporters.

"They return about two weeks later to ask for more. If we don't pay them they continue threatening us," said Mardjoko.

In response to the scourge, he ordered his subordinates to cooperate with the police and the Banyumas chapter of the Indonesian Journalists' Association (PWI) to wipe out the practice, as both institutions had a list of legitimate journalists.

Banyumas PWI head Khoerudin Islam acknowledged Banyumas was rife with bogus reporters.

"There could be as many as 15, some from here and others from outside the regency. They usually claim they come from the provincial capital Semarang," Khoerudin told The Jakarta Post.

He said it was difficult to deal with them now because the government had recognized numerous media organizations besides the PWI.

"In the meantime, if someone claims to be a journalist, we will ask for their company name and address, and if need be the structure of the media firms," said Khoerudin, adding any sign of extortion would be reported to the police.

An official at the Purbalingga Land Office, Arif Setiadi, said his office was often visited by reporters.

"We don't know whether or not they are genuine journalists. But when they come they always ask about land dispute cases, and immediately leave after they receive cash," said Arif.

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