Kalla: Indonesia Safest Place for Journalists
VIVAnews - Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla stated that Indonesia is the safest place in Southeast Asia for journalists. According to Kalla, there is no longer any pressure on press in Indonesia.
"Indonesia is safer for journalists. After the reformation period, democracy is at work, security is maintained, and journalists are free to do any stories without problems," said Kalla when welcoming the delegation of International News Safety Institute (INSI) on Tuesday, Dec 16, at the Vice Presidential Office, Jakarta.
However, Kalla requested that journalists continue to work according to the rules. Kalla also asked journalists to provide more optimistic news to improve the country's image. "So that there is no bad perception on Indonesia, such as regarding security issues. If there is bad news, write about it. But if there is good news, then write about the good news," said Kalla.
The International News Safety Institute (INSI) organized an Asia Pacific regional conference on 15-16 December 2008 discussing the safety of journalists. According to data conveyed by INSI Director Rodney Pinder, more than 1,400 journalists died on duty between 1996 and 2008; 125 out of the total victims were deceased in Asia Pacific region.
The conference also marks the birth of the Jakarta Declaration, which is concerned with safety of journalists. The first point of the declaration emphasizes the government's responsibility over the safety of its citizens, including journalists. "The government must end impunity with regard to killing of journalists and comprehend the spirit of UN Security Council's Resolution on the safety of journalists in conflict areas," said Pinder.
The declaration also urged media organizations to pay attention to the safety standards of its employees. Professional media organizations, media owners and journalists, said Pinder, must put aside issues on competition when the lives of journalists are threatened. Pinder asked Kalla to bring up discussion on the Jakarta Declaration during the upcoming ASEAN Summit in February 2009.
In commenting on the declaration on safety of journalists, Kalla jokingly said that INSI must also discuss presidents' safety from journalist's attack. "You have to discuss a new topic, the presidents's safety from journalists."
Kalla was referring to the shoe-throwing incident involving Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi who threw his shoes at US President George W. Bush during a press conference in Baghdad, Iraq. "Just now, I was keeping an eye on your shoes," said Kalla, laughing. "Perhaps from now for each press conference, journalists should be required to tie their shoe laces," he said jokingly.
Translated by: Bonardo Maulana Wahono, Ramona Sofianne Dewi.
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