The Regional Office held a series of consultative meetings with press groups, media associations, media legal aid councils, humanitarian and donor organizations in Indonesia May 4-15 to re-introduce INSI, establish communication and coordination links, and to determine needs in relation to journalists’ safety.
The regional coordinator also met with Ezki Suyanto, who is acting as INSI ad hoc safety adviser and coordinator for Indonesia, to discuss the establishment of a national safety program and the feasibility of holding a regional safety conference in the country. Ms. Suyanto participated in the first regional Training of Trainers (TOT) held in the Philippines November-December 2007. She was certified as a safety adviser.
In meetings in Jakarta, Aceh, and Yogyakarta several discussions ranging from press freedom issues, legal aid for journalists, safety of reporters and media staff especially in remote provinces, and media support were held with the following organizations and individuals:
- Brig. Gen. Supiyadin, military chief in Aceh, on security situation in the province and press-military relations. According to Supiyadin, relations between the two institutions have markedly improved after the devastating tsunami in December 2004 as warring parties worked for re-integration. He said the military in Aceh is always willing to open dialogues with members of the news media, emphasizing that while there are no protocols in terms of press coverage especially in critical areas, the military provides safety briefings. “Journalists who embed with us become our responsibility but they should also be aware of the risks when joining military operations,” he said.
- Briefing and discussion with around 15 Aceh journalists (print, TV, on-line, radio) on safety concerns, INSI’s programs and plans. The journalists emphasized that while the reintegration process is proceeding at pace, there are still general safety issues that need to be addressed including personal conflict management (road traffic accidents are increasing). They pointed out the urgent need for hostile environment and first aid training and an advocacy drive for insurance coverage. Murizal Hamzah, editor of The Globe Journal in Aceh, told INSI that journalists in Aceh generally work under poor conditions mainly because of financial constraints but also due to lack of safety awareness.
- Meeting with Mr. Dadang Budiana, communications officer of the Badan Reintegrasi-Damai Aceh (Aceh Peace Reintegration Board) provided a wider perspective about the role of the news media and journalists in the peace process in the province. While threats against journalists have lessened over the last couple of years, the Board believes that deeply-rooted animosities between political groups could flare up in violence. Some journalists are perceived as taking one side or the other.
- Meeting with Muhammad Halim of the Legal Aid Center for Press of Indonesia on media support services including advisories on legal concerns e.g. libel, arrests, surveillance. The legal aid center is open to the idea of working with international and regional organizations in relation to media safety including co-organizing forums and conferences.
- Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) – Heru Hendratmoko, outgoing president of AJI, told INSI that he would be endorsing joint activities with whoever is elected as the new board this year (2008).
Source : Red Batario
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Sumber : www.newsafety.com (INSI)
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