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Journalists condemn violence against journalist in Biak
The Indonesia Journalist Network (IJN) in Papua has condemned the violence perpetrated by Biak Numfor Regent Thomas Ondi against Fiktor Pekambanfan, a journalist with the Cenderawasih Pos newspaper in Biak
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T
he Indonesia Journalist Network (IJN) in Papua has condemned the violence perpetrated by Biak Numfor Regent Thomas Ondi against Fiktor Pekambanfan, a journalist with the Cenderawasih Pos newspaper in Biak.
'It was shameful to have such an incident occur while President [Joko "Jokowi" Widodo] was on a visit to Papua,' IJN Papua advocacy coordinator Jeffry Pattirajawane said on Monday.
Disappointed with an article about a fire that engulfed the Biak Market, published on Cenderawasih Pos' Saturday edition, Ondi beat the article's author, Fiktor, leaving him badly injured.
Jeffry said the Ondi could have summoned the newspaper's editorial board or the journalist who wrote the article for clarification rather than carrying out such a violent act.
'Violence is not a good way to solve problems. It's also not a smart or wise deed, especially because he [Ondi] is the top figure in Biak,' he said.
As reported earlier, regent Ondi was angry because Fiktor failed to mention the efforts undertaken by the Biak Fire Agency to extinguish the blaze.
The Biak Police will look into the beating incident, which occurred at the Ridge Study Studio in Samofa district, Biak, on Saturday.
'Fiktor has reported the case to the Biak Police criminal investigation unit, and we have sent a lawyer team to provide him with legal assistance,' said Jeffry, adding that the Biak regent had also threatened to set the journalist's house on fire.
Jeffry said IJN would monitor the case until it was taken to court. Without such legal action, the group said, journalists would continue to fall prey to violent acts perpetrated by parties claiming injury from certain media coverage.
'[...] we must put forward constructive communication and dialogue,' said Jorzul, a journalist in Papua. (ebf)(+++)
