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Police, TVOne settle dispute out of court
The National Police and private TV station, TVOne, agreed Monday to resolve a dispute on the basis of the press law and journalists code of ethics over a talk show featuring an alleged “case broker” claimed to be operating at police headquarters, broadcast on March 18
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he National Police and private TV station, TVOne, agreed Monday to resolve a dispute on the basis of the press law and journalists code of ethics over a talk show featuring an alleged “case broker” claimed to be operating at police headquarters, broadcast on March 18.
The chairman of the Press Council, Bagir Manan, said on Monday at the council’s office in Jakarta that the dispute would be solved through a mediation process facilitated by the council.
He emphasized that both institutions had shown no desire to take legal action.
“TVOne acknowledged that it had made a mistake when airing the program without inviting a National Police representative,” Bagir said, citing that the ultimate principle of journalism requiring the coverage of both sides of an issue.
The National Police had reported TVOne to the Press Council and the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission after the TV station aired the program featuring Andris Ronaldi, who claimed he brokered cases at the National Police headquarters.
The police then arrested Andris, who told them that he was paid Rp 1.5 million (US$166) and instructed by the program’s presenter, Indy Rachmawaty, to pose as a case broker.
TVOne officials issued a statement on April 10 denying the allegations by the National Police and saying they still believed that the source was a case broker who had been operating for 12 years at the National Police headquarters.
Bagir said that the TV station had submitted evidence to the Council supporting its claim that Andris Ronaldi was actually a case broker.
“However, the council has not made any decision yet over the validity of the submitted evidence,” he told the press conference.
A member of the Press Council, Bambang Harymurti, said that TVOne and the National Police were the victims of fraud perpetrated by Andris.
“It’s clear that Andris is a liar. He has given contradictory testimonies to TVOne and the police. They are just victims,” he said, adding that the council would need to investigate further to determine the truth.
Another member of the Press Council, Agus Sudibyo, said that the police planned to take Andris Ronaldi to court for fraud, and that the Council would have no authority in that connection.
“We will let the police resolve that matter through legal procedures,” he said. (rdf)
