TV association out to end old bugaboo of self-censorship

JAKARTA (JP): When news reports of a recent congress of television journalists was aired by their colleagues, they were distinctly different from the usual humdrum segments devoted to the goings-on of political organizations.

The end of the congress on Aug. 9 marked a historic event with the founding of the union Ikatan Jurnalis Televisi Indonesia (Indonesian Television Journalists Association). This is the first organization for TV journalists, and the association even includes employees of the government-owned TVRI network.

The elected chairman, Haris Jauhari, is the host of the evening talk show, Aspirasi on Televisi Pendidikan Indonesia (TPI). The private TV station was set up by PT Cipta Televisi Pendidikan Indonesia owned by former president Soeharto's daughter Siti "Tutut" Hardiyanti Rukmana.

Television journalists, although reaching public figure status fairly quickly, have been subjects of ridicule when people sensed they would not, or could not, air reports considered unfavorable of the government.

"Hey you, go home!" was the frequent cry aimed at TV crews from bystanders at "sensitive" events, such as the July day of the violent takeover of the headquarters of the Indonesian Democratic Party in Jakarta in 1996.

The impression of TV media, apart from the inevitably government-censored reports of TVRI, is that they have a hard time standing up for independence with the politically well- connected heads of private stations RCTI, SCTV, TPI, Indosiar, and ANteve.

Now, like other media, they are trying to make the most of the newfound freedom. It is also a survival tactic; timid reporting will lose out these days in the competition to sate the information-hungry public. Yet viewers still sense censorship, like the controversial cut in the SCTV interview with politician and former minister Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, and the Aug. 10 halt in midbroadcast of an Indosiar talk show hosted by Wimar Witoelar and economist Sjahrir.

The new association may drum up viewers' hopes that it will play a part in reducing "interference" in their favorite programs.

In an interview this week, Haris, an executive producer at TPI, said more often it was self-censorship among TV journalists, rather than intervention from owners or the government, which was a more significant hindrance in their profession.

"In the past era (the Soeharto regime) the situation obstructed journalists from making such free reports. Self- censorship from journalists played a bigger role."

Haris, 38, said he considered intervention by owners was still acceptable "as long as it did not ruin the reporting process".

The former journalist of Bandung-based Pikiran Rakyat daily said the association aimed to improve the professionalism of journalists, a definition encompassing reporters, camera crews, presenters and editors.

Crisis

The 500-strong organization was set up, he said, because there was no existing institution for people working in news programs in television stations.

The 52-year-old Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI), he said, dealt more with print media, even though members included TV crews. "The fact is that print media and television stations have different characteristics. We deal with sounds, pictures besides written reports," Haris said.

Furthermore, he added, print media is regulated by the Press Law while television stations follow the Broadcasting Law.

With private televisions stations' anniversaries in the midst of the crisis -- RCTI, SCTV and TVRI all mark the event this month -- TV crews have reasonable cause to worry about their pay, or even their jobs.

"We hope dismissals will be the last choice after all efforts have been," Haris told The Jakarta Post. TV stations are cutting costs in many ways, including through airing reruns. Revenue from commercials across television stations have dropped by at least 50 percent, Haris added, compared to before the crisis hit.

He said TV journalists expected they would be last to be considered for dismissal because news shows are relatively cheaper compared to TV dramas or other productiosn. "But it doesn't mean that we hope other people will be dismissed first," he said.

SCTV's public relations office has acknowledged that more than 100 personnel may be laid off due to the crisis.

In the absence of employees' unions at television stations, the association has set up an advocacy unit in case of loss of jobs or disputes with management.

Haris said the association expected to be included in discussions to solve problems affecting the stations. (jun/anr)