Protection for journalists<\/p>\n
As the present century approaches its end, journalism and
\nother work related to journalism are showing alarming signs of
\nbecoming high-risk pursuits. This may sound strange as we are on
\nthe verge of entering an era of information, which has become a
\nbasic need for modern man. Yet in Indonesia, acts of violence
\nagainst journalists are occurring with increasing frequency.<\/p>\n
The government has so far done little to protect journalists
\nagainst unlawful and degrading acts committed by state security
\nofficers. There is much, however, which the Indonesian
\nJournalists' Association can do for journalists who are doing
\ntheir jobs.<\/p>\n
Compiling records of journalists' names and addresses,
\nhowever, is not enough. Complete journals must be made of all the
\nacts of violence suffered by journalists, either while they are
\ndoing their professional duties or afterwards as a consequence of
\nthose duties. The public and security officers must be educated
\nto realize the fact that in this era of information, modern man
\ncannot do without information.<\/p>\n
Aside from all this, the manner in which journalists are
\ntreated provides a yardstick for the level of our legal
\nawareness, for the quality of democracy in this country and even
\nfor how civilized our society is. We must all be aware of the
\nfact that for information to be effective, a positive attitude is
\nneeded so it may be accessed by as many people as possible in as
\nmany regions as possible.<\/p>\n
-- Merdeka, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/protection-for-journalists-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }