Journalist dismissed after Aceh interview<\/p>\n
Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
A journalist-producer with SCTV television station has claimed he
\nwas dismissed due to an interview he did with a victim of a past
\nmilitary operation in Aceh to make the Indonesian Military (TNI)
\nconsider civilian victims during its current operation to crush
\nFree Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels.<\/p>\n
Dandhy Dwi Leksono, formerly a producer before he was told to
\nleave the TV station on Saturday, said his dismissal came after a
\nhigh-ranking TNI officer protested to SCTV about the interview.<\/p>\n
The interview was part of the Dialog Khusus (Special Dialog)
\nprogram aired on May 21, which also featured martial law
\nadministrator in Aceh Maj. Gen. Endang Suwarya and religious
\nAcehnese figure Imam Sudja'. There had been no objection when he
\nproposed the program, Dhandhy said.<\/p>\n
He said his story on the life of an Acehnese poet, whose work
\npromotes peace and respect for civilian life, was later banned by
\nthe TV station.<\/p>\n
He said he had been informed by a senior manager that he was
\nto be accepted as a permanent employee on May 25, but later was
\ntold that his contract was terminated. His six-month contract
\nshould have ended on May 24.<\/p>\n
However, R. Nurjaman, SCTV senior manager in charge of
\nprocessing who supervises all producers, denied Dandhy's claim.<\/p>\n
"It was not a dismissal, Dandhy was never promoted to
\npermanent employee. His six-month contract was not extended after
\nwe appraised him. It's nothing to do with his Aceh story,"
\nNurjaman said.<\/p>\n
Dandhy's case came amid restrictions on journalists covering
\nthe war in Aceh from presenting balanced reports. The martial law
\nadministrator has ordered local media not to print or air
\nstatements from the rebels.<\/p>\n
The government has also appealed to national media to support
\nthe operation in Aceh and has promoted what it calls "patriotic
\njournalism".<\/p>\n
Commenting on Dhandhy's case, media analyst Agus Sudibyo
\ncalled on the media to maintain the principle of covering both
\nsides. He criticized media that leaned on the TNI for safety when
\ncovering the war.<\/p>\n
"We have learned from history that we can't just trust the TNI
\ndue to its poor record," he said.<\/p>\n
Under the current situation, he suggested that coverage be
\nfocused on victims of the war.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/journalist-dismissed-after-aceh-interview-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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