Jackets for reporters

Jackets for reporters

JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Indonesian Journalists (PWI)
plans to distribute jackets or vests to reporters to help the
public and security forces distinguish them in a crowd.

PWI Chairman Sofyan Lubis was quoted by Antara as saying that
this was necessary after an incident in July when a journalist
was beaten by security forces who mistook him for a rioter.

The jacket or vest will be issued to all its members, he said,
adding that this is expected to help keep journalists safe.

A photographer for Ummat magazine in Jakarta had to be treated
in hospital after he was beaten up by security forces while
covering the July 27 riot in Central Jakarta. His pleas that he
was a reporter were ignored, although he showed them his press
card, he said later.

The Armed Forces have apologized for the incident.

Sofyan said the jackets will be available within this year but
warned journalists against abusing the jackets. (emb)