Indointernet: E-Mail blocked?<\/p>\n
Since Aug. 7, subscribers to \"Indointernet\" in Rawamangun,
\nJakarta, cannot write nor receive e-mail. Every time you log in,
\nan announcement will appear on your screen: \"We apologize that
\nour e-mail service is temporarily unavailable. We are sorry for
\nany inconveniences caused.\"<\/p>\n
No explanation is given why, or until when it will last. No
\nprior notice either. I have a hunch that something suspicious is
\ntaking place. Given the current political situation in Jakarta,
\nand the absence of legal protection for netters, is it too
\nfarfetched to think what I think?<\/p>\n
Any internet expert is welcome to explain whether it is
\npossible to spy on your e-mail by forcing the \"sysop\" to open
\nyour password and\/or block your e-mail service.<\/p>\n
Name and address<\/p>\n
known to editor<\/p>\n
;JP;WYS;
\nANPAk..r..
\nLetter-Olympics-closing
\nMarathon and closing ceremony
\nJP\/4\/letter2<\/p>\n
Marathon and closing ceremony<\/p>\n
Among the surprising features characterizing the closing
\nceremony of Atlanta Olympics on Aug. 5, 1996, was the medals
\nceremony for the Marathon winners: gold to Josia Thugwane of
\nSouth Africa, silver to Lee Bong-Ju of South Korea and bronze to
\nEric Wainane of Kenya.<\/p>\n
The deliberate choice of the marathon to highlight the event
\nis especially meaningful, as this sport is an endurance contest,
\nand originates from the feat of the Greek runner who ran from
\nMarathon to Athens to announce the victory of the Athenians in a
\nwar in Greece in 490 BC.<\/p>\n
This image of perseverance was emphasized by the song The
\nDream of Peace. We feel that a close correlation between the two
\nevents exists, as far as their spirit and vision are concerned.<\/p>\n
That endurance is needed for peace is well demonstrated by the
\nhistory of apartheid in South Africa.<\/p>\n
Perhaps it was not just a coincidence that a South African,
\nJosia Thugwane, won the gold medal in the Atlanta marathon.<\/p>\n
Another interesting point is that looking at the medals tally,
\nwe may conclude that the riches of an economically advanced
\ncountry do not necessarily bring medals.<\/p>\n
There were 97 countries in the Atlanta Olympics, but only 78
\ncountries won medals, meaning that a majority of countries have
\nstill a long, long way to go in their efforts to gain a place
\namong the Olympic medal winners in Sydney and thereafter.<\/p>\n
Finally, William Payne, President of the Atlanta Olympics
\nCommittee, deserves praise for the delivery of just a simple
\nshort speech, thanking the International Olympics Committee for
\nchoosing Atlanta to host the Centennial Olympics, fulfilling the
\ndreams of the people and children of Atlanta.<\/p>\n
SAM SUHAEDI<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>\n
;JP;WYS;
\nANPAk..r..
\nLetter-media-bias-debate
\nBalanced reporting
\nJP\/4\/letter3<\/p>\n
Balanced reporting<\/p>\n
This is in response to John Hargreaves' July 24 letter.<\/p>\n
Hargreaves misinterprets my previous letters as \"not approving
\nof western journalists.\" Let me state that I have the highest
\nrespect for all journalists who practice accuracy, balance and
\ncompleteness. Also, I will not continue the air show discussion,
\nnot due to an inability to reply but because of my promise to end
\nit.<\/p>\n
That leaves the rest of his letter, namely his laudatory
\ncomments about the Australian-born, UK-based journalist John
\nPilger. Despite Pilger's relative fame (he is largely unknown in
\nNorth America), I do not rate him worthy of much praise.<\/p>\n
Pilger's sensational and tendentious reporting style has been
\ncriticized by his own journalistic peers. In response, Pilger has
\nbeen known to issue legal writs on those parties questioning his
\nreportorial abilities -- which I think is a reflection of the
\nman's prickly character and sheer conceit.<\/p>\n
John Pilger once wrote a story on 200,000 being sold into
\nchild slavery in Thailand. When his report was discredited by
\nothers, Pilger angrily sent off a reply to various news agencies,
\npublications, and television stations. The man's need for
\npublicity and wide press exposure was clear in his actions. No
\nless than Derek Davies, the former editor of Far Eastern Economic
\nReview -- a journalist regularly granted interviews by top
\npolitical figures -- wrote that Pilger did not show (any) degree
\nof fairness to Thailand. He also pointed out that Pilger, in a
\nsubsequent article, used the word (paid) \"laborers\" instead,
\nindicating an earlier exaggeration and a shift of ground.
\nJournalists use words to inform accurately, and that was clear
\njournalistic distortion.<\/p>\n
Davies wrote further that Pilger's work \"illustrated the
\nthoughtless harm that can be done by media in the West which
\npublish inadequately researched articles on the Third World\".
\nPilger liked to boast that his style was \"risk journalism -- the
\nvery best kind,\" but it has been commented by others that Pilger
\nwas often \"overblown and spiteful\".<\/p>\n
I have read Pilger's book, Distant Voices, including his
\nchapter on East Timor. Despite the promotional blurb on the black
\ncover, readers should realize that the book is the work of one
\nman with an axe to grind, not holy writ. The whole tone of the
\nbook is accusatory and attention-grabbing, not balanced
\njournalism. On East Timor, Pilger makes no attempt, like a good
\njournalist would, to present any positive side of the province's
\nintegration into Indonesia.<\/p>\n
John Pilger may be expressing his right to free speech
\nwhenever he engages in his journalistic vendettas, but some media
\npeople -- not to mention governments -- have criticized him
\nharshly. Pilger tends to think in black-and-white terms on very
\ncomplex issues, including this diverse nation and society called
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
Finally, unlike Mr. Hargreaves, I do not believe that John
\nPilger truly cares about \"the sufferings of Indonesian citizens\".
\nThe man does not really know this country. What Pilger really
\ncares about, first and foremost, is journalistic glory. He has
\nmany detractors in the world, who do not quite put him on such a
\nlofty pedestal.<\/p>\n
FARID BASKORO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>\n
;JP;WYS;
\nANPAk..r..
\nLetter-Olympics-Indonesia
\nIndonesia's triumph
\nJP\/4\/letter4<\/p>\n
Indonesia's triumph<\/p>\n
I refer to the letters dealing with Atlanta 96. Although I
\njoin the chorus of praise for the performances of all athletes, I
\nbelieve there is something equally important: the Indonesian
\n\"triumph.\"<\/p>\n
At the first sight the word could appear inadequate for the
\none gold medal won by Indonesia, but if you look at things from a
\nparticular point of view, the word \"triumph\" is reasonable.<\/p>\n
The victory of only one gold medal can be considered by some
\ncountries as manna from heaven or as unhoped-for booty. It's not
\nthe case of Indonesia being penalized by the badminton results.
\nOn the other hand, Indonesia has obtained a great victory in a
\nfield that could have positive repercussions in the future.<\/p>\n
Having sent its own correspondents to Atlanta, Indonesian
\nnetworks have reached a very important result: the awareness of
\nbeing more than able to manage sports services by themselves,
\nwith excellent results.<\/p>\n
PIERO RONCI<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>\n
;JP;WYS;
\nANPAk..r..
\nLetter-complaints-replies
\nMakro could learn from S'pore Airlines
\nJP\/4\/letter5<\/p>\n
Makro could learn from S'pore Airlines<\/p>\n
Your Aug. 3 edition published replies from two companies which
\nhad letters directed to them. I could not help but notice the
\ndifference between the two replies.<\/p>\n
Singapore Airlines referred to the letter as a \"comment\" while
\nMakro treated it as a \"complaint\".<\/p>\n
Singapore Airlines took the time to show appreciation and
\nassure that all feedback is taken seriously. Makro on the other
\nhand categorically denied responsibility and put the blame on the
\ncustomer.<\/p>\n
No wonder Singapore Airlines is the world's number one
\nairline.<\/p>\n
Name and address<\/p>\n
known to editor<\/p>\n
;JP;WYS;
\nANPAk..r..
\nLetter-Garuda-apology
\nGaruda responds
\nJP\/4\/Letter6<\/p>\n
Garuda responds<\/p>\n
In regard to the letter entitled Garuda delays in The Jakarta
\nPost of July 30, 1996, I would like to thank Mr. Robert Wood for
\ntaking the time to let us know of his recent experiences with
\nGaruda Indonesia.<\/p>\n
I am very sorry to year that you were not getting a proper
\nexplanation and apology from our ground staff as well as our crew
\non several of your delayed flights. We are always interested in
\nhearing from our customers but regret that it was the type of
\noccurrence that prompted your letter.<\/p>\n
I want you to know that Garuda Indonesia is very much
\nconcerned with its customers, and I am pleased to let you know
\nthat part of our customer satisfaction improvement programs,
\nright now Garuda Indonesia is seriously and keenly implementing
\n\"on time performance\" program to boost its flight punctuality.<\/p>\n
To assure a positive result, the President of Garuda
\nIndonesia, Mr. Soepandi, has been directly and deeply involved,
\namong others, by giving specific directions and regularly
\nobserves the progress of the project.<\/p>\n
Please accept our apology and thank you for alerting us to the
\nproblems and for being so understanding.<\/p>\n
ARIF HARTANTO<\/p>\n
VP Business Relations<\/p>\n
PT Garuda Indonesia<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indointernet-e-mail-blocked-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }