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Screenings canceled over security concerns
Jakarta Post - November 28, 2016
Two documentary films, Jihad Selfie and Jakarta Unfair, were supposed to be part of the 10th Documentary Days held at TIM in Cikini, Central Jakarta, and screened on Friday and Saturday. However, TIM management had strongly advised the organizers that the screening and discussion of the movies could risk the security of the event, organizing committee head Rahma Indira Marino said on Saturday.
Jihad Selfie, a documentary film by social activist Noor Huda Ismail, tells how the Islamic State (IS) movement uses word-of-mouth propaganda through social media to expand its network of jihadists.
Meanwhile, Jakarta Unfair tells the story of evictions orchestrated by the city administration in various areas as well as the plight of the evictees after being relocated.
The decision to cancel the screening came after the organizers, manned by the student body of the Economics Faculty of the University of Indonesia (UI), asked permission to pin up a banner of Jihad Selfie in front of the entrance gate to TIM on Friday afternoon. However, TIM management told the organizers that it was too risky to screen the films at TIM as the area is under the supervision of city administration.
TIM management was also worried the screening would create "unwanted activity". When Jihad Selfie was previously screened at TIM, police officers came and questioned the organizers, Rahma said.
Furthermore, both TIM and Cineplex 21 management told the organizers that they would not be responsible for the content of the films and that the responsibility was in the hands of the event organizers.
The organizers then decided to comply but proceeded with the rest of the schedule. Separately, Noor regretted the cancellation of the film screening and discussion calling it "strange" as the film has been widely used by many government institutions, as part of their counter-radicalism programs.
Meanwhile, Jakarta Unfair co-director Dhuha Ramadhani was not surprised the documentary could not be played at TIM. "TIM is an arts and cultural center run by city administration," he said.
TIM management withdrew its permit from the Belok Kiri (Turn Left) Festival in February following opposition from various organizations demanding the ban of the festival that showcased leftist histories of Indonesia.
According to the Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network (SAFENET), most violations against freedom of expression in the country are in the form of banning film screenings followed by discussions or seminars.
Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/28/screenings-canceled-over-security-concerns.html.
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