Police mediate between artistes, media

Police mediate between artistes, media

Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

As complaints from local celebrities regarding libel allegations
are growing, the police decided it was time to bridge the gap of
understanding between movie and television stars and the media,
but offered no resolution of the love-hate relationship.

At a gathering on Tuesday at the Jakarta Police Headquarters,
to which members of the Indonesian Actors Guild (Parfi) and the
media were invited, police failed to ensure all remained focused
on the purpose of the event.

"We have arranged this good event, but to what end? You're all
talking to each other while I'm standing here talking all alone,
just like a wayang (shadow puppet) character," National Police
spokesman Insp. Gen. Basyir Ahmad Barmawi said from the podium.

"But that's understandable; we all lack competence and are
miseducated, with poor personalities ... all that renders
artistes, the press and the police unable to make progress in our
respective professions."

Basyir pointed out that the communication obstacle caused by
perceptual, intellectual and emotional gaps between artistes and
the press had become the main problem.

Last month, several artistes complained to the House of
Representatives and the Jakarta Police over alleged media
intrusion, which they said had crossed the line and disrupted
their private lives.

The most recent incident took place when former MTV video
jockey Sarah Sechan banned reporters from attending her wedding
ceremony and reception.

Several other artistes have even taken their complaints to
court.

One by one, artistes and media people walked out of the room
as the discussion continued.

Noted psychologist Sarlito Wirawan said that both the media
and artistes had to be professional in their respective jobs.

"Not all artistes are highly educated, but the profession,
like others, has a code of ethics whereby artistes should not
depend solely on their good looks and sex appeal. As for
reporters, be careful, because there is no such thing as
objectivity in writing. Your work reflects your subjective point
of view," he said.

Deputy chairman of the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) Amidhan
also warned the media that, somehow, they had created a negative
image of artistes as people whose marriages did not last and who
always became embroiled in affairs.

"Such an opinion doesn't inform the public at all," he said.

Senior singer Emilia Contessa, who has admitted that her life
has been full of controversy and is currently involved in a
property dispute with her former husband, decided to walk out of
the discussion.

"If you don't want the media to characterize you as a spouse-
cheater, then don't have an affair. If you behave right, the
media won't give you a bad name. I've been in the industry for 34
years and have no complaint about the media. Even if I had, I
have the right to protest in order to clear my name," she said.

"Don't artistes have more problems with the police than with
reporters?" Emilia asked.