Embedded journalists to cover military operations<\/p>\n
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Learning from the U.S.-led coalition in the Iraq war, the
\nIndonesian Military (TNI) has called on 60 local journalists who
\nwill be embedded with its troops during their operation in
\nrestive Aceh.<\/p>\n
For the purpose, the journalists, who come from various print
\nand electronic media, will undergo four days of training provided
\nby the TNI at the Sangga Buana training camp belonging to the
\nArmy's Strategic Reserve Command in the West Java town of
\nKarawang.<\/p>\n
During the training, which takes place from Sunday through
\nWednesday, the reporters will learn basic military capabilities
\non the battlefield, including the art of survival, technical
\nbasics of sea-landings and air drops and how to be alert for
\nbombs and bullets.<\/p>\n
The training is mandatory, according to TNI spokesman Maj.
\nGen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, for journalists who want to cover the
\nday-to-day operations from the front line. Each journalist will
\nreceive a license at the end of the training.<\/p>\n
The exercise is closed to journalists of any nationality from
\nthe foreign media.<\/p>\n
\"I don't know whether there are any political considerations
\nfrom the Foreign Ministry (to exclude journalists working for
\nforeign media), but for me it is clear that we (the TNI) do not
\nwant any disturbance during the operation,\" Sjafrie told a press
\nbriefing on Friday, referring to foreign journalists who could
\ncause problems.<\/p>\n
Like soldiers, the journalists will also wear bullet-proof
\nvests and helmets when they cover a raid on Free Aceh Movement
\n(GAM) camps. Sjafrie said the presence of the media would ensure
\nthat soldiers would not violate human rights.<\/p>\n
To provide the flow of information on the ongoing operations,
\nTNI has set up media centers at its headquarters in Cilangkap,
\nEast Jakarta and the operation's central command in Lhokseumawe,
\nsome 230 kilometers east of the Aceh capital of Banda Aceh.<\/p>\n
The media center in Aceh will be equipped with satellite
\ncommunications to help the journalists send stories or broadcast
\nnews across the country.<\/p>\n
Sjafrie said that the training would be necessary for
\njournalists to know the dos and don'ts during operations.<\/p>\n
\"Of course the journalists won't get enough sleep or may eat a
\nlittle bit late, but those are the conditions that must be
\naccepted,\" Sjafrie said.<\/p>\n
Media observers and practitioners have warned that the
\nobjectivity and independence of media coverage in Aceh could be
\nthreatened should journalists be embedded with the troops.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/embedded-journalists-to-cover-military-operations-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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