Media blackout threatens National Games<\/p>\n
The South Sumatra press association has threatened to boycott
\nthe 2004 National Games in the provincial capital of Palembang
\nfollowing speculation that the event organizers would name state
\nnews agency Antara as the official media group to promote the
\nquadrennial sporting event.<\/p>\n
Chairman of South Sumatra's chapter of the Indonesian
\nJournalist Association (PWI) Reform, MD. Asnadi, said the press
\norganization feared the news agency would impose monopolistic
\nrestrictions if it were awarded the privilege.<\/p>\n
\"We will oppose the plan because Antara is not the only agency
\nthat has the right to promote the games. There must be a
\nconsortium of credible and accredited media organizations playing
\npromotional roles,\" Asnadi said.<\/p>\n
He said PWI Reform was not the only media association that
\nwould consider boycotting the games if organizers failed to heed
\nthe objection.<\/p>\n
Games organizing committee official in charge of promotional
\naffairs Faisal Perdana said Antara had offered an Rp 8 billion
\n(US$769,230) deal that required the news agency to promote the
\nprovince and provide news coverage before, during and after the
\nevent.<\/p>\n
\"We are still studying the proposal thoroughly and no decision
\nhas yet been made about whether we will accept it or turn it
\ndown,\" Perdana said. \"To be honest, we don't have enough money
\nfor promotional affairs.\"<\/p>\n
The proposal was presented by an Antara team headed by Riyanto
\nDW before provincial officials and games organizing committee
\nofficials.<\/p>\n
One of the news agency team members, Zulheri Abdullah, said
\nthe promotional package would help the province boost investment
\nand tourism in addition to the games coverage.<\/p>\n
\"That is why we priced the proposal quite high. But we can
\nmake it more flexible\", Zulheri said.<\/p>\n
He said that his team had held talks with provincial officials
\nand games organizers three times. --JP<\/p>",
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