Police mediate between artistes, media<\/p>\n
Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
As complaints from local celebrities regarding libel allegations
\nare growing, the police decided it was time to bridge the gap of
\nunderstanding between movie and television stars and the media,
\nbut offered no resolution of the love-hate relationship.<\/p>\n
At a gathering on Tuesday at the Jakarta Police Headquarters,
\nto which members of the Indonesian Actors Guild (Parfi) and the
\nmedia were invited, police failed to ensure all remained focused
\non the purpose of the event.<\/p>\n
"We have arranged this good event, but to what end? You're all
\ntalking to each other while I'm standing here talking all alone,
\njust like a wayang (shadow puppet) character," National Police
\nspokesman Insp. Gen. Basyir Ahmad Barmawi said from the podium.<\/p>\n
"But that's understandable; we all lack competence and are
\nmiseducated, with poor personalities ... all that renders
\nartistes, the press and the police unable to make progress in our
\nrespective professions."<\/p>\n
Basyir pointed out that the communication obstacle caused by
\nperceptual, intellectual and emotional gaps between artistes and
\nthe press had become the main problem.<\/p>\n
Last month, several artistes complained to the House of
\nRepresentatives and the Jakarta Police over alleged media
\nintrusion, which they said had crossed the line and disrupted
\ntheir private lives.<\/p>\n
The most recent incident took place when former MTV video
\njockey Sarah Sechan banned reporters from attending her wedding
\nceremony and reception.<\/p>\n
Several other artistes have even taken their complaints to
\ncourt.<\/p>\n
One by one, artistes and media people walked out of the room
\nas the discussion continued.<\/p>\n
Noted psychologist Sarlito Wirawan said that both the media
\nand artistes had to be professional in their respective jobs.<\/p>\n
"Not all artistes are highly educated, but the profession,
\nlike others, has a code of ethics whereby artistes should not
\ndepend solely on their good looks and sex appeal. As for
\nreporters, be careful, because there is no such thing as
\nobjectivity in writing. Your work reflects your subjective point
\nof view," he said.<\/p>\n
Deputy chairman of the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) Amidhan
\nalso warned the media that, somehow, they had created a negative
\nimage of artistes as people whose marriages did not last and who
\nalways became embroiled in affairs.<\/p>\n
"Such an opinion doesn't inform the public at all," he said.<\/p>\n
Senior singer Emilia Contessa, who has admitted that her life
\nhas been full of controversy and is currently involved in a
\nproperty dispute with her former husband, decided to walk out of
\nthe discussion.<\/p>\n
"If you don't want the media to characterize you as a spouse-
\ncheater, then don't have an affair. If you behave right, the
\nmedia won't give you a bad name. I've been in the industry for 34
\nyears and have no complaint about the media. Even if I had, I
\nhave the right to protest in order to clear my name," she said.<\/p>\n
"Don't artistes have more problems with the police than with
\nreporters?" Emilia asked.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/police-mediate-between-artistes-media-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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