Media blackout threatens National Games

Media blackout threatens National Games

The South Sumatra press association has threatened to boycott
the 2004 National Games in the provincial capital of Palembang
following speculation that the event organizers would name state
news agency Antara as the official media group to promote the
quadrennial sporting event.

Chairman of South Sumatra's chapter of the Indonesian
Journalist Association (PWI) Reform, MD. Asnadi, said the press
organization feared the news agency would impose monopolistic
restrictions if it were awarded the privilege.

"We will oppose the plan because Antara is not the only agency
that has the right to promote the games. There must be a
consortium of credible and accredited media organizations playing
promotional roles," Asnadi said.

He said PWI Reform was not the only media association that
would consider boycotting the games if organizers failed to heed
the objection.

Games organizing committee official in charge of promotional
affairs Faisal Perdana said Antara had offered an Rp 8 billion
(US$769,230) deal that required the news agency to promote the
province and provide news coverage before, during and after the
event.

"We are still studying the proposal thoroughly and no decision
has yet been made about whether we will accept it or turn it
down," Perdana said. "To be honest, we don't have enough money
for promotional affairs."

The proposal was presented by an Antara team headed by Riyanto
DW before provincial officials and games organizing committee
officials.

One of the news agency team members, Zulheri Abdullah, said
the promotional package would help the province boost investment
and tourism in addition to the games coverage.

"That is why we priced the proposal quite high. But we can
make it more flexible", Zulheri said.

He said that his team had held talks with provincial officials
and games organizers three times. --JP