Riau government allots Rp 2.5b of public funds to journalists

Haidir Anwar Tanjung, The Jakarta Post, Riau

The Riau provincial government has granted Rp 2.5 billion (US$274,000) in the form of housing subsidies to local journalists through their press associations in the province, a senior local government official said on Wednesday.

The gifts have stirred controversy in the oil-rich province as all journalist associations in the province, except for the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), accepted the gift.

Riau administration spokesman Eddyusti denied allegations that the gifts were linked to Governor Saleh Djasit's reelection bid.

"The grant was purely given on the grounds that the provincial administration and journalists are truly working partners," said Eddyusti on Wednesday.

He added that the housing subsidy would not affect the journalists in carrying out their duties, claiming that the provincial administration would still accept criticism from the local press.

An estimated 191 journalists in the province will receive Rp 10 million each. They are obliged to use the money as a down payment for the houses.

Those grouped under the Indonesian Journalist Association (PWI), the PWI of Reform, the Alliance of Indonesian Democratic Journalists (AWDI) and the Indonesian Independent Journalist Association (PWII) were the beneficiaries of the administration's benevolence.

A local executive of AJI said the organization's members would not accept the gift for fear that it would affect their impartiality when it comes to covering government affairs.

In addition, the gifts were a violation of the public's trust (for an objective and independent press), said Akhmad Jamaan, an AJI executive.

"The money came from Riau provincial budget, which means it was the people's money," said Akhmad.

A media observer Marganti Manaloe lashed out at the provincial government for misappropriating the provincial budget.

"Instead of providing the gift to journalists, the local government should have channeled the funds to small-scale entrepreneurs in the form of credits, so that it would help boost development in Riau," said Manaloe, who is the chief editor of Opsi Tabloid.

Manaloe suspected that the money was disbursed to win the journalists' sympathy as part of the governor's campaign for reelection next year.

He revealed that such practices were rampant in the province.

According to him, most weekly publications in the province recently received government subsidies of Rp 150 million for each media group.

Manaloe would not give details about the media that had received the subsidy, which was given by local administration.

"This is stunning. It casts doubts on whether the local media can now act as a credible opposition to the government," he said.

A local councillor J. Nadeak acknowledged that the local council approved the government decision to grant the subsidy for journalists.

He claimed it was the journalists who asked for the subsidy.

He admitted the gift would raise controversy.

"If the fund is approved and finally disbursed, it will violate the press code of ethics. But if it is rejected by the council, we will face resistance (criticism) from the journalists," Nadeak said.