Former 'Tempo' reporters hired by American media

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)