(AJI/IFEX) – The following is an action alert by the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), of which AJI is a member: In a 27 March 2001 letter to Muhyi Effendi, governor of North Maluku, SEAPA’s Jakarta office expressed concern over his 27 March banning of television reporters and local press in Ternate Island, an area […]
(AJI/IFEX) – The following is an action alert by the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), of which AJI is a member:
In a 27 March 2001 letter to Muhyi Effendi, governor of North Maluku, SEAPA’s Jakarta office expressed concern over his 27 March banning of television reporters and local press in Ternate Island, an area north-west of the trouble spot Ambon.
The governor stated that reporters and correspondents from the Jakarta-based TV stations RCTI and TPI misinformed the public in their reports. He said that news from the stations tends to provoke the community and disseminate harsh criticisms of the government. Therefore, on behalf of the Civil Emergency Authority (CEA) in Maluku, Effendi prohibited reporters with the two stations from doing journalistic work anywhere in the North Maluku Province.
The ban was released in CEA order 02/PDS-0906/2001, which also states that local Ternate newspapers “Ternate Pos”, “Fokus” and “Mimbar Kleraha” have not cooperated with the authorities in helping to restore order in the troubled region. The governor warned the papers not to publish stories that could induce violence, or else he will close them down and ban all their journalists from working in North Maluku.
He also asked for cooperation from the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) and police in order to monitor the work of journalists in North Maluku.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the governor:
- stating that while the Civil Emergency Authority in North Maluku has the right to prohibit journalists from covering certain issues, this right should only be invoked after consulting with the press authorities body, which has knowledge and expertise in such issues
- urging the governor to reconsider the ban against the journalists and to cooperate with the Indonesia Press Council in order to find ways that both parties – the authorities and the press – can work together to bring peace to the region
- noting that journalists in North Maluku must also strive to conduct fair and balanced reports that do not spark conflict
Appeals To
Muhyi Effendi
Governor of North Maluku
Civil Emergency Authority
Ternate, North Maluku
Indonesia
Fax: +62 921 230 36/327 418
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
