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Incidents of violence and intimidation by police against journalists in Papua doubles
Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Jayapura City Press Release - December 21, 2013
Referring to notes AJI Jayapura during the year 2013, the perpetrators of violence against journalists in 2013 was the same as before the 2010-2012 trend. Person of the police force become the most frequently committed violence against journalists, in addition to community groups. Although it must be admitted, the relationship between the police institution with journalists in Papua tended to improve, but the Institute of Papua Regional Police 8 perpetrators of violence and intimidation against journalists from 20 cases recorded by the AJI in Jayapura in 2013. Numbers of cases of violence against journalists committed by the police officers doubled from 2012 cases in which only 4 cases.
While the violence carried out by civil society against journalists in 2013 was likely carried out by a group of people with the aim of defending the interests of certain officials. Recorded 6 cases of intimidation and violence in this category during the year 2013. This trend suggests that public officials in Papua has not been able to educate the mass of supporters to understand the tasks and role of the press as mandated by the Basic Press Law No.. 40 of 1999. In the same context, the role of the press organizations demanded more active in disseminating the Basic Press Law to the public and public officials.
6 other cases, carried out by the wives of public officials in the scope of the provincial governments of Papua and West Papua, the company press unilaterally terminate the employment and Sentani airport officials.
Of the 20 cases of violence against journalists in Papua and West Papua in Jayapura AJI record, caused no serious law enforcement efforts. Cases of violence are not dealt with in the correct legal procedures and professional. As a result, violence against journalists who are doing the journalistic activity ended with impunity and repeated in subsequent years. Such as the assault against Flood Ambarita, Bintang Papua journalist and Viva News that can not be disclosed by the police today.
In 2013, the AJI in Jayapura appreciation Jayapura police chief who immediately apologized to journalists after members commit violent acts against three journalists at the time of the dissolution of the demonstrations on November 26, 2013. Jayapura police chief 's actions, exemplary by those who commit violence against journalists in Papua. However, AJI Jayapura still finds the apology should be followed by legal action or action guidance to police officers who commit acts of violence on journalists to provide a deterrent effect and is not repeated in the future.
Also in 2013, AJI Jayapura noted two important statements within the scope of the role and function of the press is at least able to explain to the public about restrictions on access to foreign journalists to enter Papua. The first event is the assertion that the Governor of Papua invited foreign journalists and international organizations to enter into Papua. Papua Governor 's statement, although it shows the progress of the civil authorities in Papua, but in fact the opposite. Reality of what happened until the end of this year, the authority to allow foreign journalists or international organizations to enter into Papua were in the central government, through the Clearing House procedure, not the local government. In this case, the statement called on the Governor of Papua, outside the context of the policy of the state to impose Clearing House told foreign journalists who wish to cover in Papua. However, once again, we give an appreciation of the Papuan Governor's statement.
The second statement is a statement of the Papua police chief. In an interview in viva news, Papua police chief said media can be part of a foreign intelligence. The most effective disguise for intelligence activities, according to Papua police chief, was as a journalist or as a researcher. Two professions that allows one to see anyone, interviewing all parties. Although the Papua police chief 's statement is not a conclusion, but it could explain the perspective of the state against foreign journalists.
Regardless of the statement, AJI Jayapura does not ignore the efforts of Papua Regional Police in establishing communication and mutually beneficial relationships for journalists and the police. In this context, the scope of the police force in Papua Police have sufficient understanding of the function and role of journalists as well as the present condition of the media business. But this understanding is still limited to police officers only. This is evidenced by the number of cases of violence and intimidation to journalists conducted by police officers in the scope of the Papua Regional Police.
AJI Jayapura, during the year 2013 also recorded a public report to the professional attitude and ethics of journalists in Papua. Three cases are reported by the public is unpleasant actions and libel, the alleged misconduct and extortion. In addition to the three cases that had been reported officially, the community also expressed concerns regarding the presence of obscure reporters (reporters Abal Abal) around the city of Jayapura – Reporters called this reporter Abal Abal, in practice, does not have an office/clear editorial or journalistic product can not show despite having the ID Card as certain journalists. Some people reported that journalists in this category Abal Abal, do not hesitate to take action against citizens or officials of extortion or suspected corruption case is under examination.
In the coming years, is expected to further increase community participation in controlling the attitude and ethics of journalists to create a conducive climate democracy in Papua.
Another thing noted by AJI Jayapura is the development of online media very rapidly, not least in Papua. Growth of online sites that convey information about Papua, and social networking on the internet is undeniably influenced the socio-political dynamics in Papua. " Fighting " information about Papua is a new phenomenon. Distortion of information about Papua into something that seemed " reasonable " to happen. The mainstream media is no longer the top choice for the community. One other thing that is important in this phenomenon is the status of journalists who no longer owned by a media company workers. Although the Basic Press Law does not expressly mention the journalist or reporter is a person who regularly carry out journalistic activities through a company press but the responsibility carried by a journalist who worked on the company's press is certainly different from a journalist who is not tied to a management company news. This is what distinguishes journalism journalism as a profession and as a hobby. However, this condition is a reality that can not be dammed, as advances in information technology. So that people are expected to be more intelligent sort the acquired information.
2014, will be an important year for the mass media and journalists in Papua. In this year, will be held two political moment, the election of Members of the Legislative and Presidential Elections. Two important events in the political year directly or indirectly involve the mass media and journalists. Experience in the previous year, indicating active participation of journalists and mass media in the democratic party mengkawal process. Despite the active participation of journalists and mass media are appropriately given the appreciation, but can not meet the expectations of society. Community on many occasions asked the media and journalists provide impartial servings for each participant and the democratic party is not co-opted by the participants. But this will not be achieved without close cooperation between mass media, journalists, implementing democratic party, the democratic party attendees and community elements. Active participation of the community in carrying out the control of the press is the key factor to achieve the expectations of the community itself.
Finally, AJI Jayapura to thank all those who have cooperated with journalists in Papua and West Papua in general and specifically AJI Jayapura – Hopefully this cooperation remains firmly established in the years to come.
Let's together embody professionalism Journalists and Press Fair and responsible for development and peace in Papua.
Jayapura, December
21, 2013
Jayapura City
Alliance of Independent Journalists
Victor Mambor
– Chairman CP: Dian Kandipi (085254893087) – Secretary AJI Jayapura
Jack Wally (081248137151)
– Kord Workers' Advocacy & AJI Jayapura
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