East Java ranks second worst for violence against media

Wahyoe Boediwardhana ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Malang   |  Wed, 05/07/2008 9:39 AM  |  The Archipelago

East Java ranks second in Indonesia for brutality against journalists, with 60 recorded cases over the past year, the Malang chapter of the Alliance for Independent Journalists (AJI) says.

The reported cases included brutality, expulsion and obstruction of duty, Malang AJI head Bibin Bintariadi said Tuesday.

In the 12 months from May last year to May this year, AJI recorded seven instances of intimidation, three incarcerations, four instances of news censoring, 21 instances of physical abuse and eight prosecution cases against journalists.

"In East Java alone, we recorded 11 cases of obstruction of duty. Jakarta was ranked worst with 13 reported cases, West Java and Depok came third (with 8)," Bibin said on the sidelines of a peace rally commemorating World Press Freedom Day.

A serious cause for concern, Bibin said, was that many victims had higher education levels.

"It is most regrettable that nothing like this occurred between 2003 and 2006. Brutality against journalists must be stopped because it violates the principles of press freedom," said Bibin, a journalist for Koran Tempo daily.

Violators have included mobs, gang members, state officials and security forces.

A lack of awareness of Press Law No. 40/1999 was partly to blame for frequent complications in resolving press disputes, Bibin said.

Also to blame was a lack of understanding among law enforcers and the general public of the function and role of the press as an arbiter of democracy, he added.

"So, for those who are dissatisfied with news coverage, AJI suggests they use the available means, such as the right to respond and correct, or report any disputed media to the Press Council," he said.

"If a deadlock is reached, use the Press Law to resolve the dispute," he said.

"Don't fight our journalistic work with violence. That's essential," Bibin said.

At the event, Bibin reminded journalists to uphold the Indonesian Press Code of Ethics (KEWI) while on duty.

He also urged journalists to continue to strive to improve their professionalism.

"Most of our colleagues have a complacent attitude due to the routine work, and have no desire to hone their skills in seeking and writing news," he said.

"The discipline is constantly evolving, so everyone should polish their skills," Bibin added.

AJI also urged law enforcers to stop using the Criminal Code to incarcerate journalists and prosecute media institutions, but to use the 1999 press law when dealing with the media.

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