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.