Big media firms urge adoption of competence rules

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Wed, 10/15/2008 4:31 PM | National

Two of the country's biggest newspaper publishers, Kompas and Jawa Pos, have proposed all media adopt the Press Council guidelines for journalistic competence as a common standard.

Speaking in a media discussion on journalistic competence in Jakarta on Wednesday, Jawa Pos owner Dahlan Iskan said media publications must come together and create a consensus on standards for local journalists.

"It's crucial if we want to create a productive working environment," Dahlan said.

Dahlan said the Press Council guidelines on journalistic competence, first published in 2004, were by far the most comprehensive and flexible.

"These guidelines have been debated in various discussions over the last four years. Just last year many rejected them, saying reporters' competencies varied and could not be generalized," he said.

Nevertheless, he said, establishing some basic standard was important for the industry to move forward.

Tri Kuncahyono, deputy chief editor at Kompas, said although various media companies drew on different kinds of human resources, a standard must be set for those who work as journalists.

"Each media outlet has its own tools for measuring competence of any news reporter, but we must set a common platform among us. Despite our differences we all adhere to the values of community responsibility and conscientiousness," Tri said. (ast)

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