Reporters to get ID cards in Bekasi

Reporters to get ID cards in Bekasi

BEKASI, West Java (JP): The Bekasi regency administration and
the local branch of the Indonesian journalists' association will
jointly issue identification (ID) cards for journalists operating
in the regency.

The plan will be endorsed by both parties and is aimed at
determining genuine reporters from bogus journalists.

A reliable source said some district officials and business
people had complained to the Regent about blackmail attempts by
bogus reporters.

Bekasi Regent Moch. Djamhari said the ID cards would stop
bogus reporters from practicing in the regency.

He said bogus reporters were more aggressive in chasing news
sources, particularly regency officials, and eventually asked for
money.

There are 68 reporters working in his regency but only 49 have
submitted letters of assignment.

He said ID cards would soon be distributed to reporters with
Indonesian journalists association membership cards and had
submitted letters of assignment from their chief editors.

The chairman of the association's West Java branch, Aris
Suparno, said he supported the plan and expected the regency
office to selectively distribute the ID Cards.

Meanwhile, Ani Sutisna, deputy chairman of the local
information office, said the new ID cards should be properly used
by the authorized reporters.

"The ID cards should solve the problem and not create new
problems," Ani said. (kod)