(AJI/ISAI/IFEX) – The following is a 4 May 2004 statement by the Coalition Against Violence Towards Journalists, of which AJI and ISAI are members: Coalition Against Violence Towards Journalists Commemorating World Press Freedom Day, 3 May 2004 The Coalition Against Violence Towards Journalists (KAKTW) conveys its concern over violence towards the press throughout the world, […]
(AJI/ISAI/IFEX) – The following is a 4 May 2004 statement by the Coalition Against Violence Towards Journalists, of which AJI and ISAI are members:
Coalition Against Violence Towards Journalists
Commemorating World Press Freedom Day, 3 May 2004
The Coalition Against Violence Towards Journalists (KAKTW) conveys its concern over violence towards the press throughout the world, and particularly in Indonesia, during the past year. 2003 and the beginning of 2004 have been a most saddening time for press freedom throughout the world. According to a Reporters Without Borders report, 42 journalists were killed throughout the world in 2003. Most of the murders took place in Asia, particularly Iraq.
In Indonesia, the Coalition recorded 97 incidences of violence towards the press in 2003. The highest number of incidents, which were also the most disturbing, took place in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam Province. Since the Military Emergency was established on 19 May 2003, there have been 25 incidents of violence. The peak was the death of RCTI journalist, Ersa Siregar, on 29 December 2003, during a shoot-out between the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). RCTI cameraman, Ferry Santoro, who was taken hostage at the same time as Ersa, has still not been released by GAM.
As a Coalition fighting for press freedom and protection for journalists, KAKTW believes that press freedom and protection for journalists are important parts of every struggle for peace and democracy throughout the world. Protecting journalists is equivalent to protecting the public’s right to accurate and genuine information. As such, we:
1. Criticise all forms of violence against the press.
2. Appeal to the world community and particularly Indonesian society to reject and avoid all forms of violence against the press.
3. Ask the government of Indonesia and GAM to immediately resume negotiations to free Ferry Santoro.
4. Urge law enforcement agencies (police, judiciary, attorneys) to employ Press Law No. 40/1999 to resolve cases relating to press reportage.
Jakarta, 4 May 2004
Our respects,
Coalition Against Violence Towards Journalists:
1. Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI)
2. Association of Indonesian Television Journalists (IJTI)
3. Institute for the Studies on Free Flow of Information (ISAI)
4. Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras)
5. Press and Development Study Institute (LSPP)
6. LBH Pers
7. Media Watch and Consumer Centre (MWCC)
8. Indonesian Legal Aid Association (PBHI)
9. Indonesian Photo Journalists (PFI)
10. PWI Reformasi
11. The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) Jakarta
