Journalists Need to Exchange Perspectives
Thursday, 08 May, 2008 | 15:42 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Denpasar: The global community requests international journalists to exchange news perspectives in order to understand the conflict of different countries. “It will be useful in an emergency situation,” said researcher from the University of Oslo, Norway, Elisabeth Eide, in a third Global Inter Media Dialog in Nusa Dua, Bali, yesterday.

According to Eide, the exchange can create understanding between medias. The exchange can be done by opening opportunities to foreign journalists in various places.

The dialog is aimed at stimulating initiatives from the media to contribute to the creation of a plural and harmonious global community. This inter-media dialog is initiated by the Indonesian and Norwegian governments.

The initiative came after the pro-contra reaction to the caricature of Islam's Prophet Muhammad in 2006. According to Foreign Minister Nur Hassan Wirajuda, Indonesia is facilitating the effort to generate equal understanding among international journalists.

A member of the Press Council, Bambang Harymurti, said the value of global ethics is difficult to formulate but important to discuss in order to increase the journalists’ sensitivity toward the media and the effect on public opinion.

Norwegian Deputy Minister for Culture and Church Affairs said that he cannot forbid the news “attacking” one religion. It would be considered violence to freedom of expression which is protected by Norway’s constitution.

In Mataram, the Press Board asks for coordination with the police and Attorney General in handling complaints related to news coverage. People should complain about their objections to the Press Council, not to the police or Attorney General. “Democracy should not be limited,” said a member of the Press Council, Bekti Nugroho.

ROFIQI HASAN | SUPRIYANTHO KHAFID