Martial arts for Irian journalists

Martial arts for Irian journalists

JAKARTA (JP): Journalists working in Irian Jaya have been
advised to take lessons in martial arts to protect themselves
against beatings from officials, one of the occupational hazards
increasingly encountered in their line of work nowadays.

The Irian Jaya chapter of the Association of Indonesian
Journalists said that, this year, there have already been two
incidents of officials beating journalists because they did not
like what they read in the newspapers.

There were four such incidents in all of 1994, chapter
chairman Dahlar T. Umar told the Antara news agency.

Dahlar said he is recommending that all journalists working in
Irian Jaya equip themselves with self defense skills in addition
to their reporting and writing skills.

The latest beating was inflicted on Cendrawasih Pos journalist
Ifan Mohammad by an official of the Irian Jaya Transmigration
Office on Feb. 8, he said.

Of the four cases of beatings reported to the association's
Irian Jaya chapter last year, two were settled out of court. The
other two were settled in court.

The head of the Manokwari Agriculture Office, who was
prosecuted for beating a journalist last year, was sentenced to
three days imprisonment by the Manokwari District Court.

Dahlar also appealed to all journalists in the province to
maintain their accuracy in their reporting, always checking and
rechecking with their sources, to avoid getting into trouble.
(emb)