Former 'Tempo' reporters hired by American media

JAKARTA (JP): American media establishments covering the APEC conferences and the leadership meeting have found a pool of talented local reporters to help them do some of the legwork.

Around a dozen journalists displaced by the banning of Tempo news weekly in June have been hired by American networks, mostly as their liaison officers or "fixers".

Their journalistic skills, and their old contacts for news sources, come in handy when it comes to getting the news.

Some of these former Tempo journalists are now seen roaming around the Jakarta Convention Center, not covering the news, but helping their employers cover the news.

Sometimes the line is blurred although the former Tempo liaison officers know how far they can go.

Sri Pudjiastuti, who is in charge of the United States TV pool for CNN, NBC, CBS, and ABC, said she was happy with the chance to work with journalists covering the event.

"But my heart bleeds every time I see journalists interviewing people," she told The Jakarta Post. "I wish I were one of them."

She said she had been jobless since the government revoked the publishing permit of Tempo in June.

Some of the Tempo journalists have already gone on to establish a new magazine, called Gatra, with financing from timber tycoon Mohammad (Bob) Hasan. Gatra will be launched next week.

Another group of former Tempo journalists are hoping to set up their own independent magazine. They are currently waiting for a new license from the government.

Tempo lost its license after repeatedly ignoring the government's warnings about some of its editorial content.

The pay from the foreign media is good by Indonesian standards. It ranges between $150 to $350 a day, according to one hired Tempo journalist.

"It's not bad. It helps us keep our stove burning," said one of the journalists hired by the American media.

Most of them requested anonymity fearing that the publicity could jeopardize their temporary jobs.

Some of the journalists said they hoped that the American media might consider them for a more permanent employment after APEC, probably as their Indonesian correspondents.

Some of the Tempo' office boys have also been hired to help American television networks during the event. And a Tempo photographer, Rully Kesuma, has been hired by the Canadian embassy to take pictures of the Canadian delegation. (sim/jsk)