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