The Jakarta Post, January 19, 2006
Maluku media rallies behind radio station
M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon
A media group in Maluku is calling on the local broadcasting authorities to support a
radio station in its troubles with the Southeast Maluku regency administration.
The Maluku Media Center is ! also attempting to rally other media organizations in the
province to the side of journalists at radio station Gelora Tavlul, which has run afoul of
the local administration, including being ordered off the air for a short period.
Daniel Nirahua, who is in charge of advocacy at the media center, told The Jakarta
Post in Ambon on Tuesday an official in the regency administration prevented a
reporter at the radio station, Andreas Maturbongs, from covering the administration
office on Jan. 14. He said no reason was given for the one-day ban on the reporter.
He said the actions of the administration official, for whatever reason they were taken,
were a violation of journalistic rights. "This is a form of repression of press freedom
and democracy, as well as the people's right to information."
Daniel urged the Maluku Broadcasting Commission to assist the station in this
matter, and encouraged Andreas to file a po! lice report, claiming the restrictions
imposed on him violated Article 18 of the Press Law.
"The regency official not only violated the law, but also tarnished the image of the
administration in the eyes of the public," Daniel said.
However, the radio station's director, Yos Rettobjaan, said over the phone he would
not take the matter to the police.
"After considering the case from a legal aspect, we did not find any witnesses who
could be of help. There apparently were some people present during the incident,
including some local reporters, but they have special ties with the administration. Due
to this, we will not bring this case to the police," Yos said.
A Maluku Broadcasting Commission member who asked not to be identified told the
Post his office would dispatch two members to help resolve the rift between the
regency administration and the radio station.
He said his off! ice had received a letter of complaint from the station, as well as an
order from the regency administration to shut down the station.
"We will resolve this problem according to Law No. 32/2002 on broadcasting.
Hopefully, we will be able to find a solution to appease both sides," he said.
Gelora Tavlul was forced to shut down on Dec. 13 at the order of Southeast Maluku
Regent Herman Adrian Koedoeboen, about a month after the regency administration
rejected a request by the station's management to extend its expired operational
permit. However, the station recently began broadcasting again.
The station has been critical of the Southeast Maluku administration, recently airing a
story about the alleged misuse of Rp 19 billion (about US$1.9 million) in disaster relief
funds.
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