Exhibition explores journalistic flaws, hardships<\/p>\n
I Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post\/Denpasar, Bali<\/p>\n
The Bali Independent Journalists Alliance (AJI Bali) has a unique
\nway of celebrating its 10th anniversary -- organizing a cartoon
\nexhibition, where most of the work deals with the dark side of
\njournalism, from news-spinning and insinuation to the prevailing
\nculture of bribery among local journalists.<\/p>\n
Titled \"Journalists in the Eyes of Cartoonists\", the exhibition
\nfeatures 32 works of 17 local cartoonists, including some of
\nthe island's most respected cartoonists such as Ida Bagus Marti
\nnaya, Kadek Jango Pramartha, Wayan Gunasta and Cece Riberu. Held
\nin the Bali Museum in downtown Denpasar, the exhibition runs
\nthrough Aug. 28.<\/p>\n
The chairman of AJI Bali, Anton Muhajir, pointed out that the
\nexhibition was a necessary step to maintain the psychological
\nhealth of journalists. According to Anton, to gain public trust
\njournalists should prove their trustworthiness and independence
\nfrom time to time. To be able to act as a true pillar of democra
\ncy, to function as a social control, the media corps must be able
\nto embrace criticism with the same level of fervor it shows when
\ncriticizing other elements of society.<\/p>\n
\"We believe that introspection and self-examination should be
\nan integral part of our lives and work as journalists. The exhi
\nbition is a good way to gauge the public's opinion of journalists
\nand to find out whether we, as journalists, are mature enough to
\naccept criticism,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Separately, cultural observer Hartanto Yudhoprasetyo praised
\nthe exhibition as a critical step toward the advancement of
\ndemocratic values on the island.<\/p>\n
\"The cartoonists and journalists are giving a great lesson in
\ndemocracy, that is that criticism is not taboo. They also have
\nshowed that criticism should not necessarily lead to hostility or
\nenmity between their respective communities. Criticism and the
\nability to hold a healthy and honest public debate on certain
\nissues are the necessary foundations for the establishment of an
\nopen society,\" he concluded.<\/p>\n
Some of the displayed works do indeed mock irresponsible
\njournalists, who, instead of informing and enlightening their
\ncommunities, succumbed to various temptations, such as bribery,
\npolitical influence and more bribery, and end up polluting the
\nminds of their readers with lies, fear and hate through fabricat
\ned news and unsound journalistic practices.<\/p>\n
In this sense, journalists have became spin-doctors for var
\nious interest groups and are no longer independent seekers of
\ntruth.<\/p>\n
Veteran cartoonist Ida Bagus Martinaya, alias Gus Martin,
\naddressed this subject in a cartoon, which could easily be said
\nto be the best cartoon in the exhibition. The cartoon portrays a
\nsmiling journalist who is removing his spectacles to apparently
\nreplace them with a new set of glasses presented by a woman's
\nmanicured hand. The new glasses, it turns out, are not made of
\nglass at all, but of two envelopes.<\/p>\n
Envelope, or amplop in Indonesian, refers to the unethical
\nconduct of a large number of journalists who accept cash from
\ntheir sources, usually high-ranking government officials and
\nwealthy entrepreneurs. A source usually gives cash enclosed in an
\nenvelope, thus, the reference. This practice is so widespread
\nthat it is ceasing to be a practice and instead is becoming a way
\nof life.<\/p>\n
\"It's a powerful piece of work because Gus Martin does not
\nemploy a single word or any dialog in the sketch, yet the message
\nis loud and clear. That's what a cartoon is supposed to be, isn't
\nit,\" journalist Rofiqi Hasan said.<\/p>\n
Not all of the cartoons deal with the shortcomings of journal
\nists. Several pieces, particularly by another veteran cartoonist,
\nCece Riberu, deal with the hazards and hardships journalists
\nencounter in their work.<\/p>\n
Cece's most striking work features a man, who is wearing a
\ndark suit that has Perusahaan (company) emblazoned across it, is
\nsporting a wide, greedy grin while furiously milking a cow. It is
\nan interesting cow for she is smoking a cigarette and a camera
\nhangs around her neck.<\/p>\n
If the cow is carrying a camera and smoking a cigarette she
\nmust therefore be a journalist-cow, mustn't she?<\/p>\n
The cow utters only one word, the Balinese exclamation badah,
\nwhich is usually used to convey a sense of frustration, disap
\npointment, bewilderment and helplessness.<\/p>\n
\"That's exactly the response of the majority of Indonesian
\njournalists when they are being exploited by their employers. All
\nthey can say is badah, a silent protest,\" another spectator
\nquipped.<\/p>",
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