Reporter beaten

Reporter beaten

From Neraca

I was saddened by the news report in Suara Pembaruan, Nov. 6, 1994, that Antara News Agency's reporter Johanis Latuputi, in Manokwari, was beaten up by the Head of the Agricultural Office for Food Crops in the Manokwari regency JS, and a staff member of the regional administration LL, a former boxer.

How could they do that? Why should they be angered by a news piece which was factual? If the report was not factual, they should not have taken the law in their own hands, but taken the case before the courts.

We have read many cases in the media in which reporters are beaten. Perhaps it is time to establish a solid regulation which rules that if an official maltreats a reporter he must be fired from his position and severely punished.

Unfortunately, The Association of Indonesian Journalists cannot do much to protect its maltreated members, except express its regrets for the incidents.

We are often told civil servants are there to serve society. Is it only lip-service?

ROBERTO ATTA

Jakarta