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three-day gathering of rights activists from all over the country held in Denpasar has concluded that anti-pluralist sentiments are on the rise across Indonesian media outlets.

"Unbalanced news coverage focusing on actions that reflect anti-pluralism have increased both in presence and frequency in Indonesian media," said Daniel Awigra, the campaign coordinator for the Bhineka Tunggal Ika National Alliance (ANBTI).

"We need to be very vigilant in the face of this trend and map the increasing occurrences through news analysis."

The event, which was hosted by ANBTI and lasted until Thursday, was attended by 15 activists from regions across the country.

Participants received training on the technical method of monitoring the media, analyzing patterns and identifying weaknesses in the anti-pluralist movement.

"We are aware of the rise in criticism *of pluralism* in the media, and the role they play with their own specific agendas," Awigra said.

ANBTI's organizing committee coordinator, Nia Sjarifudin, said the alliance would be conducting intensive media analysis throughout this year.

The outcome of the monitoring efforts will be used to design an appropriate counter-strategy to offset the impacts of these anti-pluralist sentiments for the general public.

Awigra said religious issues were easily exploited and often used to reinforce the solidarity of a certain group.

He said the inclusion of sharia principles in national laws and regional bylaws could jeopardize the social cohesion of a community.

When the media report on these issues in a bias and unbalanced manner without addressing the real issue, he said, such coverage can divide rather than strengthen national unity.

"Eventually, it will threaten the principle of pluralism which had been upheld by our nation's founding fathers," Awigra said.

The Pornography Law and a joint ministerial decree on Jemaat Ahmadiyah Indonesia, he said, were obvious examples of increasing anti-pluralist sentiment in politics.