Biased reporting by the 'Post'<\/p>\n
All praises to Allah subhanahu wata'ala, shalawat and
\ngreetings onto Rasullulah shallalahu 'alaihi wassalam, his family
\nand friends and Muslims really following him until the end of
\ntime.<\/p>\n
A news report published in The Jakarta Post of March 22, 2001
\nunder the title of "Maluku leader dies of gunshot wounds" is
\nindeed the cause of deep concern. It seems that the accuracy of
\nthe information published by this newspaper, which can be found
\nin almost every foreign embassy, cannot be relied upon. Look at
\nparagraph 10 of this particular news story, where it is said that
\nRadio Gema Suara Maluku (Voice of Maluku) was broadcasting
\nphysical training exercises in Ambon. In reality, there is no
\nsuch Radio Gema Suara Maluku." These physical training exercises
\nare being broadcast by the Voice of Struggle of Maluku Muslims
\nradio station.<\/p>\n
Besides, the news story also quotes a statement by Col. I Gede
\nSudarta -- written as Sugiartha -- alleging that the radio
\nstation was illegal and was always provoking conflict. As a
\nmatter of fact, this radio station is the only electronic medium
\nowned by Muslims in Ambon which counters the propaganda aired by
\nthe Christian media like the national radio station RRI and the
\nnational television station TVRI, both owned by the government
\nbut used in the interests of the Christians in Maluku.<\/p>\n
Ustadz Ali Fauzi (an ulema in Ambon) and others do not call
\ninto question the existence of this radio station and have, in
\nfact, given their support. All this time, this radio station has
\nvoiced the aspirations of Muslims in Maluku in a pure and
\nrealistic manner.<\/p>\n
This is not the first time that the Post has carried news
\nstories from Maluku that have tended to be biased against
\nMuslims. It is always the comments made by Christian figures --
\nbe they civilians or military -- that are published. Besides, the
\nstories are highly speculative.<\/p>\n
The following are news stories published by the Post which are
\nbiased against Moslems:
\n 1. New synod chief elected (March 17).
\n 2. Maluku residents don't need help from outsiders (March 16).
\n 3. Maluku will remain part of RI: Leaders (March 15).
\n 4. Groups of provocateurs identified in Maluku (March 12).
\n 5. Soldiers of fortune (Jan. 8).<\/p>\n
Let us state once again that The Jakarta Post rarely checks
\nits stories with Muslims so the impression arises that this
\nnewspaper is not evenhanded. We suspect there is a hidden agenda
\nbehind the Post's reporting of the conflict in Maluku because the
\nnews stories tend to side with a certain group there.<\/p>\n
Central Executive Board<\/p>\n
Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama'ah Communication Forum<\/p>\n
TAHMID (Secretary)<\/p>\n
HARDI IBNU HARUN (Head of Information Division)<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/biased-reporting-by-the-post-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }