Moerdiono slams journalists

Moerdiono slams journalists

JAKARTA (JP): Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono turned the
table on journalists, chiding them for confusing their own
opinions with facts.

"Many journalists can't differentiate facts from opinion," he
said while addressing the celebration of the 59th anniversary of
the state-owned news agency Antara.

"It's the journalists that usually criticize the government.
Today, it's my turn. I want to criticize journalists," he said.

He cited how a local newspaper once quoted him but failed to
catch the essence of his remarks and later made conclusion based
on the journalist's own opinion. He failed to identify the
newspaper.

"I've never felt more sorry. That journalists made his own
conclusion (from my statements)," he said. "The day after, the
newspaper revised its story but said 'Moerdiono revised his
comments on the subject. It's the journalist who revised the
story, not me."

Speaking to 700 employees of the news agency, he suggested
that they improve professionalism in order to survive the
increasingly fierce competition brought about by modernization
and globalization.

Moerdiono is the chief of the advisory board of the Antara
news agency.

"What's important now is how the agency can survive," he
reiterated. "In my capacity as a member of the advisory board, I
don't know how much financial support the agency receives from
the government.

"However, I know for a fact that the state budget (for the
agency) is decreasing," he said.

In the ceremony, Moerdiono presented 29 employees with medals
as appreciation for their service at the agency for 15, 20, and
30 years.

Antara was founded on Dec. 13, 1937 in Batavia (former name of
Jakarta) by Adam Malik (who later became vice president), Pandoe
Kartawigoena, Soemanang and Albert M. Sipahoetar. (03)