Some real journalists also get 'envelopes'<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Today, the word amplop (envelope) in Indonesia also implies a
\nbribe.<\/p>\n
It is public knowledge that some journalists ask for or would
\nnot refuse cash or presents from news sources. Such press people
\nare called amplop journalists.<\/p>\n
The cash or gifts come from either politicians, businessmen or
\ngovernment officials who expect the press to boost their
\npopularity, attack their opponents or cancel the publication of
\nnegative reports about them, They may directly bribe the
\njournalists or indirectly via public relations consultants and
\nsenior journalists.<\/p>\n
"It is part of a corrupt system involving numerous parties,"
\nsaid Wisnu, a mid-career business reporter from Bisnis Indonesia
\nnewspaper.<\/p>\n
Wisnu said the practice of giving "envelopes" to journalists
\nwas not only done by local firms and state enterprises, but also
\nby foreign companies, which have been operating in Indonesia for
\ndecades.<\/p>\n
According to Wisnu, the envelope is usually given to
\njournalists during a press conference. It is included in the
\npress kit containing press releases and data.<\/p>\n
Sometimes, news sources or their assistants ask to meet
\njournalists at certain places (hotels, offices, cafes), where
\nthey will ask the journalists to stop publishing negative reports
\nabout them or cancel plans to write such stories. In return, they
\nwill provide the reporters with envelopes.<\/p>\n
Suhartono, a senior business journalist with daily Kompas,
\nrecalls how he was twice approached by tax officials who asked
\nhim to stop writing negative reports about the agency in the
\nnation's largest newspaper, while offering envelopes.<\/p>\n
"They offered me the amplop, saying that it was a token of
\n'friendship'. I rejected it, but they came again," said
\nSuhartono, adding that such a practice was common in the finance
\nministry and agencies.<\/p>\n
By their account, neither Suhartono nor Wisnu have ever
\naccepted an amplop, as they always seek to maintain integrity
\namid rampant corruption in society. Indonesia is the world's
\nsixth most corrupt country, according to the Berlin-based
\nTransparency International.<\/p>\n
The two reporters acknowledged that some journalists were
\nunable to refuse an envelope from news sources and even expected
\nit to supplement their low salaries.<\/p>\n
Public relations (PR) consultants can also be blamed for the
\nflourishing practice of amplop giving.<\/p>\n
They often offer cash or presents to attract journalists to
\nattend events or write good stories for their clients.<\/p>\n
"Almost all PR consultants do this. They are doing it on
\nbehalf of their clients with the aim of gaining maximum coverage
\nby the media," said a former public relations officer who refused
\nto be named.<\/p>\n
The former officer, who worked in the PR business for about 10
\nyears, said it was difficult to avoid as most journalists would
\nnot come to an event held by a PR company for its client unless
\nthey were assured that they would receive payment.<\/p>\n
"It is a business matter. If you are idealistic and don't
\nprovide bribes, journalists won't come to your event. If that
\nhappens, your clients will move to your competitors, which are
\nwilling to provide envelopes," said the consultant.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/some-real-journalists-also-get-envelopes-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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