2) Jakarta hopeful
Vanuatu change will end Papuan MSG bid
3) Indonesia
Only Cares About Land, Not Indigenous Papuans, Filep Karma Says
4 ) KNPB Demand
Berita Satu Explain Report Accusing KNPB of Organda Riot
5) Politics in
Papua Remains Unchanged, Filep Karma Says
6) Education in
Rural Areas is “Messy”
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1) Mass Media, Structural Racism and Legitimacy of Violence in PapuaNo Racism
No Racism
Jayapura, Jubi – During World War I from 1915 to 1918, Turkey systematically massacred the Armenian population in that country. Armenians were becoming victims of series of deportation, expulsion, torture, massacre and starvation. Most of the Armenians were expelled to Syria and the desert, and they died of hunger and thirst.
The massacre of the Armenian race continued from 1920 to 1923 by the government’s opposition the Young Turks who had similar idea of racial purity. Half million Armenians were estimated being killed during the period of 1915 – 1923.
The Armenian massacre in Turkey within these two periods could no be separated from the role of Turkish media since 1915. During the First World War, the Turkish media were engaged in ideological propaganda for the establishment of New Turkish Empire, which was called Pan-Turanism comprising Anatolia to the Central Asia. The idea of Pan-Turanism was once constructed only for Turkish origins. The media propaganda was the primary justification on this genocide within these two periods.
Turkey and its dark periods were only one of the examples of how the media get involved in propaganda that consciously threats one community as lower than others. The practice of structural racism also occurred during the ancient Greek and Rome eras, as well as the era of African race slavery in XVI century. Imitating the Turkish arrogance, Nazi practiced the structural racism against the Jews. After the end of the Second World War, the structural racism persisted on a massive scale in the South Africa, over the American natives in America and Aborigines in Autralia, and the last two are still happening until now. Over all these practices of structural racism is very significant in building public opinion that allows it to be happened.
The mass media is like double edged-sword. At one side it could promote the establishment of an egalitarian and equal social condition among various social and political differences. At the other side, it is a powerful propaganda tool to maintain the structural racism that ultimately justifies State’s Violence in a sustainable manner by majority group towards minorities. In this term, the minorities are placed in the lower position in the culture and intellectual.
Violation of Ethics, Maintaining the Structural Racism
The structural racism by mass media was also happening in Papua. On Wednesday, 27 May 2015, for example, the National News Agency Antara broadcasted a report titled “Regional Military Commander Seeks to Free the Soldiers Taken Hostages” by Evarukdijati. Then, many online media cited this report. merdeka.com, for instance, published a very unethical headline “Rebels Said Two Indonesian Soldiers Taken Hostages Already Cooked,”
The news, however, was very misleading and spreading the racist opinion against indigenous Papuans. The news was leading public opinion on the practice of cannibalism that put the indigenous Papuans as the lower culture and less intellect community, such as indicated by several websites includingbersamadakwah.com, beritacenter.com, jakartagreater.com, wartapriangan.com, and pojoksatu.id.
Later the National News Agency Antara published a report “Indonesian Military Commander Declined Pair Soldiers Taken Hostages” on 28 May 2015, which automatically confirmed the former invalid and inaccurate report.
The Article 6 of Press Law No. 40/1999 of C section stated the national press performs its role to develop public opinion based on information that is accurate, valid and true.
Thus, the report “Regional Military Commander Seeks to Free Indonesian Soldiers Taken Hostages” failed to meet the criteria of accurate, valid and true therefore it harmed the indigenous Papuans. While, the Indonesian Military Commander in “Indonesian Military Commander Declined Pair Soldiers Taken Hostages” confirmed that the hostage was NEVER HAPPENED. So the report’s accountability and accuracy is to be questioned.
The report has violated several articles of Journalistic Code of Ethics by the Press Council as follows:
Article 3
Indonesian journalists must constantly examine the information, report a balance news, do not combine the fact and judging opinion, as well as to apply the presumption of innocence.
The report “Regional Military Commander Seeks to Free Soldiers Taken Hostages” was clearly imbalance because only referring to one source information that is Komepa Sub-district Military Command through the Regional Military Commander mixing with the fact and judging opinion though the sentence “both soldiers were already cooked”. The reporter who reports the news should be doubted to examine the information.
Article 4
Indonesian journalists not to report false news, defamation, sadistic and obscene report.
The report “Regional Military Commander Seeks to Free Soldiers Taken Hostages” is false and slander news because it was later denied by Indonesian Military Commander in “Indonesian Military Commander Declined Pair Soldiers Taken Hostages”. In addition, the first report could be considered sadistic because it contains the sentence “Both Indonesia soldiers were already cooked” to direct public opinion to cannibalism practice.
Article 8
Indonesian journalist not to write or broadcast news based on prejudice or discrimination against someone on the basis of differences in ethnicity, race, color of skin, religion, sex and language, not to degrade the weak, poor, sick and people with mental or physical disability.
The report “Regional Military Commander Seeks to Free Soldiers Taken Hostages” was broadcasting based on prejudice or discrimination against indigenous Papuans and degrading their dignity through the sentence “both soldiers were already cooked” that were cited by other media. This sentence was dragging public opinion that indigenous Papuans still practiced cannibalism.
Article 10
Indonesian journalists to immediately revoke, revise and correct invalid and inaccurate news and apologize to the readers, listeners and/or audience.
Although the Indonesian Military Commander has denied about the hostages based on the prior report, but the National News Office Agency didn’t immediate revoke, revise and correct the mistaken and inaccurate report or apologize to the readers, listeners and/or audience.
Seeking Legitimacy of Violence in Papua
In the early of 2000, a professor of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Noam Chomsky came up with his opinion about “public opinion control”. He came up with two types of democracy in history, that are a democracy in which people were actively participated and a democracy in which people were manipulated and consciousness control. According to Chomsky who also known as the father of modern linguistics, propaganda in democracy was applied as a tool of totalitarian state and mass media is the main vehicle to convey propaganda in the United States. His analysis towards Creel Commission (actually named the Public Information Committee) established by President Woodrow Wilson. During the First World War, Wilson placed his fellow George Creel, a journalist and editor of Rocky Mountain News to change the public mind in the United States that previously being passive to be hysterical so that the United States could gain a public legitimacy to involve in the First World War.
The same practice was adopted under George Bush’s administration to legimate the involvement of the United States in the Gulf War in Iraq. Chomsky found that mass media and public relation industry has been used as propaganda to achieve the public supports for the United State to involve in the war in Iraq. At the end, he concluded the public relation industry in the twentieth century has been greatly influenced by Walter Lippmann theory of “Democracy Audience” which regards people as “ confused group” that need to be directed instead of empowered. The public relation industry in the United Stated and many developed countries turned out to set their focus on “control public mind” instead on informing something that has to be a public right of information.
In Papua, control on media and public opinion is priceless for the country. It is so priceless therefore the sentence “both soldiers were already cooked” must be only a code in the Indonesian Military – a code that shouldn’t be conveyed to public – that should be published to the public through mass media. It was proven that sentence later was interpreted in different way by public and Papua Police that later sent a platoon of Mobile Brigade to Enarotali. Aware or not, the media and public relation industry has been involved in legitimatizing the practice of sustained violence in Papua and to legitimize the State’s will to involve as many as security forces in Papua through Structural Racism.
Journalism is too precious to be controlled by an institution and to degrade on community. (*)
Victor Mambor
Chairman of the alliance of independent journalists in West Papua
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2) Jakarta hopeful Vanuatu change will end Papuan MSG bid
Updated 34 minutes ago
Indonesia says it's quietly hopeful the change of government in Vanuatu will signal the defeat of West Papua's bid to join the Melanesian Spearhead Group.
Sato Kilman is known to have a softer stance regarding Vanuatu's long-held support for West Papua, and as foreign minister recently indicated his country could open an embassy in Jakarta.
The change could potentially sway deliberations at the MSG leaders' summit in Honiara next week, where a decision will be made on whether to grant West Papua access to the subregional group.
The director of Indonesia's foreign ministry, Esti Andayani, says her country is carefully watching how things will play out and whether Vanuatu's policy regarding West Papua will change.
Until now, Vanuatu had voiced support for West Papua's bid alongside New Caledonia's FLNKS, while Papua New Guinea and Fiji appear to be leaning against it. Solomon Islands is yet to indicate a position.
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3) Indonesia Only Cares About Land, Not Indigenous Papuans, Filep Karma Says
Jayapura, Jubi – Papuan political prisoner Filep Karma said the recent arrests of Papuan activists showed that the government’s treatment of Papuans has not changed.
“I assume this treatment is a scenario or system that is being played to eliminate ethnic Papuans from Papua. The Republic of Indonesia only cares about the land, not the people,” Filep Karma said on Wednesday (10/6/2015).
He said the arrest of demonstrators recently reminded him of his experience as an activist. He said at that time he had already sent a letter to Papua Police notifying them about a demonstration but the police never gave an approval.
“I never asked for permission. I just informed them about my activity, so they could provide security. I would not disturb people’s activities and so were they. But the police and military came taking away the flagpole and fighting against other protesters,” he said.
On one occasion, the Commission I member of Papua Legislative Council for Politic, Legal and Human Right Affairs, Laurenzus Kadepa said the police should not restrict the access on freedom of express in public whether it was done by individuals, groups or organizations.
“Conveying aspiration in public is guaranteed by Law as long as it was peaceful not anarchic. The international community is continuously monitoring the current situation of Papua, because now the humanitarian crisis was happening,” said Kadepa at that time. (Arjuna Pademme/rom)
“Conveying aspiration in public is guaranteed by Law as long as it was peaceful not anarchic. The international community is continuously monitoring the current situation of Papua, because now the humanitarian crisis was happening,” said Kadepa at that time. (Arjuna Pademme/rom)
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4) KNPB Demand Berita Satu Explain Report Accusing KNPB of Organda Riot
Jayapura, Jubi – The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) urged the online new portal Berita Satu to explain its report accusing its activists of being behind the riot in Organda, Jayapura.
“Related to the news published on Berita Satu, we confirm that KNPB had no scheduled activities at that time. It is a criminal case and KNPB never gave any instruction to its members to commit or get involved in crime. Please clarify where the incident happened, who were KNPB members who were involved at that time. In fact, KNPB was the victim. Organda Sector Secretariat of KNPB was set on fire with other houses,” KNPB stated on Wednesday (10/6/2015) to respond the news published in Berita Satu website dated 9 June 2015.
According to National KNPB Spokesperson, Bazoka Logo said media outlets can not just accuse KNPB. “Therefore we urge Berita Satu to reveal the name of KNPB members who involved in mass conflict, the leader and who gave them the instruction to attack, verbally or written. If so, when and where?,” said Logo.
He said Berita Satu must prove it. Do not use the name of KNPB because the fact is KNPB asked anyone who protected the perpetrators to immediately be responsible on the burning houses and KNPB secretariat.
“Because we are not the perpetrators. We are not the one who stole the motorcycles. Who are taking benefit of this incident? Berita Satu must be responsible,” he firmly said.
Based on information received by SP, Berita Satu Online earlier reported on Tuesday (9/6/2015), two residents were killed, namely Hendrik Lasamahu (Organda Family Unit Chief) and his close relative Simon Lukete. It was said they were died at Abepura Public Hospital due to serious injuries at the back and stomach and the face. Meanwhile, four residents including Organda 03 Family Unit Chief were stubbed and one of them was reportedly in critical condition and treated in the ICU. Not only taking life and causing injuries, the attack carried out brutally by a group, which is the mass of West Papua National Committee (KNPB) also caused a damage of dozens of houses. (Arnold Belau/rom)
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5) Politics in Papua Remains Unchanged, Filep Karma Says
Jayapura, Jubi – Filep Karma, a political prisoner in Papua, said he rejected clemency from President Joko Widodo because there has been no political change in Papua.
“Clemency, amnesty, or anything that is offered to me, I refused. I go to jail so that there is a deterrent effect to the government that have done wrong by arresting people. But if there is no political change in Papua, why should I get out? Let me stay in prison until my sentence is served,” Karma said on Wednesday (06/10/2015).
Karma said he also rejected sentence reductions which are given annually to prisoners who show good behavior.
“The reason is remissions are given to those who show good behavior. The question is did I misbehave when I was in society?” he asked..
“The reason is remissions are given to those who show good behavior. The question is did I misbehave when I was in society?” he asked..
He added, it is not all about behaving well. He was arrested for fighting for what he believes is right.
“I’m a good guy and I know what I am fighting for is right. And for this I was sent to the prison,” he said.
“I’m a good guy and I know what I am fighting for is right. And for this I was sent to the prison,” he said.
One of the political prisoners who got clemency, Linus Hiel Hiluka on one occasion said he and four colleagues have never asked for, nor pleading for clemency to the government.
“We never asked for. Clemency was pure granted by president Jokowi. President said that the granting of pardon was an initiative of me (president). The President also apologized for what was done to our forces during the last 12 years, ” Hiluka stated on Sunday (10/05/2015). (Arjuna Pademme/ Tina)
“We never asked for. Clemency was pure granted by president Jokowi. President said that the granting of pardon was an initiative of me (president). The President also apologized for what was done to our forces during the last 12 years, ” Hiluka stated on Sunday (10/05/2015). (Arjuna Pademme/ Tina)
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6) Education in Rural Areas is “Messy”
Merauke, Jubi- Authorties in Merauke need to pay serious attention to education in rural areas as many teachers skip their duties to pursue their bachelor degrees, Regent Romanus Mbaraka said.
“Schooling in rural areas is still messy and does not run well. As most of the teachers leave their duties for reasons to continue their studies. As a result, teaching and learning activities are not going well, ” Mbaraka said during a meeting with public representatives in the State House (Gedung Negara) on Wednesday (10/6).
Most of teachers who work in the rural areas are those who graduated from SPG (teachers high school), KPG and PGSD (teachers’ college). So inevitably, they must pursue their bachelor degrees to enhance their career in accordance with Ministry of Education regulations.
Nevertheless, he said, the government will try to make sure that the teaching and learning activities will run as usual in the future. Since most of the people who live in villages are native Papuans. Hopefully after the teachers are done with their studies, they will return to the school
Former member of Merauke Legislative Council, Soter Kamiawi acknowledged that education in rural areas is stagnant or running in place because of no teachers.
“I always get reports from villagers in Waan district if teachers are not in place that the children prefer to follow their parents into the forest for a living, “he said. (Jubi / Frans L Kobun/ Tina)
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