Radio broadcasters set up new group amid challenges

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Nick Neptunus walked in the heat of the sun along with thousands of college students on Jl. Sudirman in Central Jakarta as they marched toward the House of Representatives building on Jl. Gatot Subroto where security officers awaited by their barricades.

But as they approached the House building, the situation became chaotic as the protesting students threw stones, while security officers fired tear gas and the sound of gunfire was heard. People scrambled for safety.

Nick was one of dozens of reporters who witnessed and broadcast the May 1998 incident live through a private radio station in Jakarta where he worked.

"As I reported the incident live, the gunfire could be heard in the background," Nick recalled.

The incident marked a turning point in the country's long journey toward democracy as the May riots helped force former authoritarian president Soeharto to step down.

But that moment is also seen as a turning point in the history of radio journalism in the country, broadcasters said on Saturday during the official launching of a new radio broadcasters association called the Radio Journalists Community (KJR).

"The incident, which was later followed by the stepping down of former president Soeharto, gave us (radio journalists) an opportunity to broadcast our own news after so many years spent mostly relaying news from state-controlled RRI radio," said KJR chairman Margianto.

The KJR, which has been founded by 38 radio broadcasters from 17 radio stations in greater Jakarta, aims to promote professionalism and journalistic skills among radio journalists, something which some said had not been done by the old association, the PRNSI, which was set up during the Soeharto era.

Communications expert Effendi Gazali said that radio as a media had a crucial role to play in promoting democracy in the country as people had easier access in expressing their views through radio than through the more bureaucratic procedures of the print media.

"Through radio stations, there will be more opportunities for people to address critical questions on a range of issues," said Effendi, a lecturer and senior researcher at the University of Indonesia.

But there are challenges that had to be dealt with by radio people, particularly as regards the professionalism of broadcasters and reporters.

He pointed out that many broadcasters were content with mainly airing variety shows and cracking jokes on air, and re-reading the morning newspapers to their listeners.

"Radio journalists will need more training in the areas of morals, ethics and reporting techniques," Effendi said.

The chief news editor of Trijaya FM, Izharry Agusjaya, acknowledged the pressing need for more training programs to improve the professionalism and skills of radio journalists.

"Radio as a medium has the potential to create a theater of the mind for listeners. Sometimes, something can be made more scary than the reality because of the good presentation skills of the broadcaster or reporter in the field," he said. (004)