Koran Tempo Most Independent Newspaper says Research
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Koran Tempo newspaper is considered to be a medium with independent autonomy and content as the editorial structure and the ownership system do not include a major stakeholder.
This statement was made by a media researcher from German, Anett Keller, who carried out research into four national printed media including Kompas, Koran Tempo, Republika, and Media Indonesia, in 2004.
“The most independent reporters come from a media company where the majority of shares are held by a foundation,” said Keller at her book launching entitled 'Tantangan dari Dalam, Otonomi Redaksi di Empat Media Cetak Nasional' (Challenges from inside, and editorial autonomy in four national printed media).
The launching took place at the Ibis Tamarin Hotel, Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta, yesterday (25/8). Three representatives from researched media also spoke at the launching.
They were Kompas's editor in chief, Rikard Bagun; Republika's vice editor in chief, Nasihin Masha; and Koran Tempo's Executive Editor, Metta Dharmasaputra.
Rikard explained that after reformation in 1998, the mass media was not directly free from pressure. “Pressure now come from capital power,” he said.
He went on to say that they receives summons protesting the news content almost every day. “This is like being released from the crocodile but falling into the tiger's mouth,” he said.
Regarding the research supported by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung – a NGO from Germany– Keller found that reporters working for media owners without journalistic backgrounds would receive mass intervention about news content.
“Some media owners who is also a businessman tend to prioritize their interest more than the public interest,” she wrote.
Metta explained that independence was not only about being brave. “The cost of being independent is very expensive,” he said.
He mentioned that many companies still related advertisements with editorial policy. “Some even offered us Rp5 billion in advertising as long as we did not write negative news about their companies,” said Metta.
He suggested all parties to find solution so limited media capital would not sacrifice editorial autonomy.
WAHYU DHYATMIKA
This statement was made by a media researcher from German, Anett Keller, who carried out research into four national printed media including Kompas, Koran Tempo, Republika, and Media Indonesia, in 2004.
“The most independent reporters come from a media company where the majority of shares are held by a foundation,” said Keller at her book launching entitled 'Tantangan dari Dalam, Otonomi Redaksi di Empat Media Cetak Nasional' (Challenges from inside, and editorial autonomy in four national printed media).
The launching took place at the Ibis Tamarin Hotel, Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta, yesterday (25/8). Three representatives from researched media also spoke at the launching.
They were Kompas's editor in chief, Rikard Bagun; Republika's vice editor in chief, Nasihin Masha; and Koran Tempo's Executive Editor, Metta Dharmasaputra.
Rikard explained that after reformation in 1998, the mass media was not directly free from pressure. “Pressure now come from capital power,” he said.
He went on to say that they receives summons protesting the news content almost every day. “This is like being released from the crocodile but falling into the tiger's mouth,” he said.
Regarding the research supported by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung – a NGO from Germany– Keller found that reporters working for media owners without journalistic backgrounds would receive mass intervention about news content.
“Some media owners who is also a businessman tend to prioritize their interest more than the public interest,” she wrote.
Metta explained that independence was not only about being brave. “The cost of being independent is very expensive,” he said.
He mentioned that many companies still related advertisements with editorial policy. “Some even offered us Rp5 billion in advertising as long as we did not write negative news about their companies,” said Metta.
He suggested all parties to find solution so limited media capital would not sacrifice editorial autonomy.
WAHYU DHYATMIKA