Journalist dismissed after Aceh interview

Journalist dismissed after Aceh interview

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A journalist-producer with SCTV television station has claimed he
was dismissed due to an interview he did with a victim of a past
military operation in Aceh to make the Indonesian Military (TNI)
consider civilian victims during its current operation to crush
Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels.

Dandhy Dwi Leksono, formerly a producer before he was told to
leave the TV station on Saturday, said his dismissal came after a
high-ranking TNI officer protested to SCTV about the interview.

The interview was part of the Dialog Khusus (Special Dialog)
program aired on May 21, which also featured martial law
administrator in Aceh Maj. Gen. Endang Suwarya and religious
Acehnese figure Imam Sudja'. There had been no objection when he
proposed the program, Dhandhy said.

He said his story on the life of an Acehnese poet, whose work
promotes peace and respect for civilian life, was later banned by
the TV station.

He said he had been informed by a senior manager that he was
to be accepted as a permanent employee on May 25, but later was
told that his contract was terminated. His six-month contract
should have ended on May 24.

However, R. Nurjaman, SCTV senior manager in charge of
processing who supervises all producers, denied Dandhy's claim.

"It was not a dismissal, Dandhy was never promoted to
permanent employee. His six-month contract was not extended after
we appraised him. It's nothing to do with his Aceh story,"
Nurjaman said.

Dandhy's case came amid restrictions on journalists covering
the war in Aceh from presenting balanced reports. The martial law
administrator has ordered local media not to print or air
statements from the rebels.

The government has also appealed to national media to support
the operation in Aceh and has promoted what it calls "patriotic
journalism".

Commenting on Dhandhy's case, media analyst Agus Sudibyo
called on the media to maintain the principle of covering both
sides. He criticized media that leaned on the TNI for safety when
covering the war.

"We have learned from history that we can't just trust the TNI
due to its poor record," he said.

Under the current situation, he suggested that coverage be
focused on victims of the war.