Islamic media defy taboos on sensitive reporting<\/p>\n
By Ati Nurbaiti<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): \"The war in Maluku is not one of social or
\neconomic gaps, it is clearly among Christians and Muslims, and
\nwhat is happening is a genocide against Muslims.\"<\/p>\n
\"Targeted generals in the East Timor investigation are those
\nknown to be good Muslims.\"<\/p>\n
Such opinions have been aired in some Islamic-oriented media
\nwhile others are still struggling in the reporting of religious
\nconflicts, which are often either difficult to check or carry the
\nrisk of inciting revenge. Or in the words of chief editor of
\nSabili magazine, M. Zainal Muttaqin, such media organizations
\nperhaps \"do not stand up for Islam.\"<\/p>\n
In the reporting of current domestic conflicts, some in the
\nmedia still cautiously report a clash \"among different groups\"
\nwhile victims are from \"certain faiths\"; or that \"a place of
\nworship\" has been attacked.<\/p>\n
Such organizations reflect the old taboos against reporting
\nethnic, racial and religious differences while the Islamic press
\nseems less burdened by this. \"But of course we're being careful
\ntoo,\" says Aru Syeif Assad of Media Dakwah.<\/p>\n
Muslims respond differently to Islam-oriented media, such as
\nMedia Dakwah magazine and the Republika daily. The style of
\nreporting is diverse and the \"boldest\" of them is currently most
\npopular. Readership of the bi-weekly Sabili, ranking in the top
\nfive among magazines and above Tempo, according to a recent
\nsurvey, speaks for itself.<\/p>\n
\"This magazine doesn't cover up things,\" says one Sabili
\nsubscriber.<\/p>\n
However, Muhammad, an activist at Al-Azhar study center in
\nSouth Jakarta which is associated with Muslim \"modernists\", turns
\nhis nose up in disagreement. Regarding the coverage on Maluku, he
\nsays, \"People could be pitted against each other while the
\nconflict may not really be one of religion.\"<\/p>\n
\"It's dangerous,\" says another.<\/p>\n
The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) issued a
\nstatement last month reminding the media against \"provocative\"
\nreporting, but did not give names. Its secretary-general, Didik
\nSupriyanto, said, \"it's not ethical to name any media. We just
\nneed to remind our colleagues.\"<\/p>\n
AJI's new media watch has yet to complete its study on
\ncoverage of sensitive issues, he added.<\/p>\n
In response to the view among the media and some observers
\nthat readers are not necessarily influenced by what they read,
\nDidik said, \"That's true but constant coverage, particularly by
\nthe mass media, which is hardly balanced with the other side,
\ncould by and by give suggestions to readers.\"<\/p>\n
AJI advocates media freedom, including the once banned
\ncoverage of racial, religious and ethnic differences -- \"as long
\nas it is fair,\" Didik added.<\/p>\n
A Maluku-born sociologist, Tamrin Amal Tomagola, told The
\nJakarta Post earlier this month that although the media here
\n\"isn't as bad as in Yugoslavia\" regarding coverage of intergroup
\nconflicts, \"I am most sad when I have already told a journalist
\nthat I'm mostly in contact only with the Muslim side and then I'm
\nthe only one quoted.\"<\/p>\n
\"Do I have to contact the Christian side and give their
\nversion to the media?\" he said of the coverage on the Maluku
\nsituation.<\/p>\n
Similar to AJI media expert Andi Muis also expressed concern
\nbut said the condition of such reporting these days \"will pass\";
\nthat many people seek more than one medium and that they will
\nbecome more educated so that the media will have to catch up.<\/p>\n
Interviews by the Post with some involved in the Islamic media
\nsaid they strived for balanced, accurate reporting (also see
\nMonday's edition). All cited Islamic values, such as speaking the
\ntruth or being \"gentle.\"<\/p>\n
The interviews also revealed a number of issues which are
\nsources of long-term resentment toward the government and non-
\nMuslim leaders. As long as these issues are considered unsettled,
\nthey have been tirelessly channeled by the Islamic media,
\nregardless of debates on whether they represent a small or large
\ngroup.<\/p>\n
\"We are all for harmony, but not artificial harmony,\" Zainal,
\nthe Sabili chief editor said.<\/p>\n
The rector of Jakarta's Syarif Hidayatullah State Institute of
\nIslamic Studies, Azyumardi Azra, earlier told the Post that one
\nreason why there have been frequent failed attempts to end
\nreligious conflict and tension is because religious leaders have,
\ndespite their many meetings, been reluctant to address sensitive
\nissues within their respective communities.<\/p>\n
It is such issues which no one will touch that have provided
\nthe main stories in the media with religious leanings, in this
\ncase the Islamic media.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/islamic-media-defy-taboos-on-sensitive-reporting-1447893297",
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