Plagiarism in journalism

Plagiarism in journalism

I would like to comment on your story titled U.S. experts say
plagiarism rampant in RI journalism (July 2).

The Jakarta Post reported that Fulbright Professor Alios
Klement said she was concerned by the way many Indonesian media
organizations shamelessly plagiarized whole or partial editorial
material and photographs from foreign and local media.

As a moderator of the discussion, I testify that both the
headline and the above reference attributed to Klement are
totally unfounded.

Prof. Klement's presentation was solely and entirely on
plagiarism in the American press. The discussion topic was
Plagiarism in the Press in America and Indonesia. Co-speaker
Prof. Loebby Loqman presented the Indonesian experience.

Prof. Klement's only mention of plagiarism in Indonesia arose
in a question from her. She asked journalists if they could share
any knowledge they have about plagiarism practiced in the local
press.

One reporter said a journalist of a local media organization
used material from an overseas magazine and the editor did not
take action against the journalist.

No participant denied the observation that editors here often
overlook acts of plagiarism although it is empathically
prohibited in article 13 of the Code of Ethics of the Indonesian
Journalists Association (PWI).

Throughout that particular exchange on plagiarism in the
Indonesian press, Prof. Klement listened with earnest but did not
once offer any judgmental comment.

Hopefully this clarification sets the record straight.

WARIEF DJAJANTO

Dr. Soetomo Press Institute

Jakarta