INDONESIA: Journalism education crucial for Papuans

President Widodo and First Lady Ibu Iriana with journalists from Al Jazeera Step Vaessen (on his left) and Bobby Gunawan (far right), and from Jubi Tabloid, Victor Mambor. Image: Jubi Tabloid

Friday, May 29, 2015

Item: 9288

JAKARTA (ANTARA News/ Pacific Media Watch): Journalism education is important for Papuans, now that foreign journalists and international organisations have been given open access to Papua and West Papua, says the Indonesian Press Council.

Speaking at a seminar on "Opening Access to Journalists to Enter Papua", press council member Ray Karuna Wijaya said it was important "to ensure that Papuan people are educated about ways to defend their rights from unbalanced news".

Wijaya wanted Papuan people to be able to report directly to the press council if they were harmed by foreign and national media.

In addition, Papuan people must also be aware that they had the right to contact the media directly.

"Everyone has the right to hold a dialogue with the media, from the head of the region to government officials, tribe leaders and community members," he said.

The Indonesian Press Council itself refused to bring the issue of unbalanced reporting to the criminal realm.

Following the law
The agency encouraged people to act in accordance with Law Number 40 of 1999 on the press and journalistic code of ethics.

"We have to put forward the right of reply and correction," he said.

Wijaya urged national and foreign journalists who wish to cover Papua to "be mature".

"Journalists in all countries follow the same code of ethics," he said.

Earlier, President Joko Widodo had ordered the Indonesian military (TNI) and the National Police to stop using repressive security approaches in Papua.

Widodo also stressed the need to engage in a dialogue with Papuan people as one of the key measures to build mutual trust.