Indonesian and ASEAN Human Rights expert Rafendi Djamin emphasized the importance of media and journalists’ news coverage in determining state as a stakeholder and obligation to deliver its responsibility in respecting, protecting and fulfilling citizen’s rights.
“In many regions, the state even becomes a source of conflict because it did not uphold its responsibility,” Rafendi said in front of 25 journalists from Central Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, West Sulawesi and Gorontalo who participated in the Workshop and Grant Story: Reporting Issues of Freedom of Religion and Expression in Palu, Central Sulawesi (21/2/2022).
Rafendi, the founder of the Human Rights Working Group (HRWG), regretted many intolerance and discrimination cases in which police and local administrations became the sources of the conflicts.
He went on that journalists should seriously take the tensions between religions, ethnics, and marginalization against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) groups.
“Journalists should give serious attention by controlling and demanding the state’s responsibility on the matter,” said Rafendi who was once chairman of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR).
The Fragility of Women in Mass Media
Due to the sensitivity of the issues of religion and religious diversity, the security of journalists has become an essential issue in the workshop and story grant which was organized by journalists Association for Diversity (SEJUK), The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Palu chapter, and supported by Internews.
A journalist and fact-checker of TEMPO Ika Ningtyas emphasized the importance of digital safety for journalists and how journalists should respond to digital threats. According to the publication of The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Ika reminded especially to 11 female journalist participants or around 44% of the total participants (14 others male or 64%) that those who were more targeted by digital threats and violence were female journalists.
“On female journalists, the threats are bigger,” Ika, who is also activist from the Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network (SAFEnet) and board members of the AJI Indonesia, said.
Meanwhile, lecturer on diversity journalism from the Multimedia Nusantara (UMN) Ratna Ariyanti said journalists often produced unethical news that has no human rights perspectives.
“On issues regarding transgender, many journalists do not know the matter. So, they often produced unethical news,” Ratna, who is also the coordinator of IFJ di Southeast Asia, said.
Producer of Kompas TV Budhi Kurniawan explained the importance of principles of diversity journalism, which should be upheld by journalists in reporting religions, LGBT issues. Budhi emphasized the use of unbiased diction and selection of speakers. Journalists are required not to involve their beliefs in reporting minority religions or beliefs and LGBT so that news about diversity does not become a source of hatred.
“Diversity journalism, which is promoted by SEJUK, aims to voice silenced groups, giving voice to the voiceless,” Budhi said.
Stop Discrimination against Female Journalists
Editor of Mercusuar daily Kartini Nainggolan expressed her thanks for being involved in the activity, saying that the theme on diversity was handy for media and editor in the region, which was ravaged by a massive earthquake in 2018.
She said the workshop gave knowledge on gender and LGBT issues, especially on the issue of the diversity of sexuality.
“I hope in the future; there will be no more discriminations against female journalists. We should prove those female journalists have equal ability and potential,” she added.
Kartini, who was the only female editor in her media outlet, admitted having received several unpleasant treatments from others, including from fellow journalists. She was frequently advised to work domestically, instead of working in public. She called women to be more confidence in working as a journalist.
Similarly, Agus Panca Saputra of Sultengkini.com, felt lucky participating in the workshop, saying that he could learn new perspectives.
“I could learn many things, including the use of dictions and terms. I also used to avoid and be reluctant with LGBT people, but now I know that we are all human,” Agus said.
Story Grant for Diversity News Coverage
The three-day workshop provides the participants knowledges on principles of freedom of religion and expression which was presented by Indonesia representative at ASEAN Human Rights Commission (2009-2015) Rafendi Djamin, gender in Media by South East Asia Coordinator for IFJ Ratna Ariyanti, digital safety TEMPO journalist and fact-checker Ika Ningtyas, and guidelines to news coverage by Kompas TV producer Budhi Kurniawan.
Apart from it, representatives from the Congregation of Ahmadiyah Indonesia (JAI) Palu chapter who revealed about discrimination against them, volunteer of Christian Service Association (PELKESI) on their health service to people from different faiths.
JAI Palu chapter preacher Arief Effendi explained on how the government treated them, which then caused unfair news coverage. The imbalance news triggered misunderstanding between them and other groups in society.
“It would be better if journalists first to learn what JAI is. So the news does not attack us,” Arif said, adding that the JAI community was now more open to the media compared to the previous years.
Journalists submitted their proposals before joining the workshop. Budhi Kurniawan and Ratna Ariyanti advised the journalists whose proposals were accepted. From the process, the mentors choose the best six funded proposals for their news productions. Each journalist get Rp 7 million.
The six proposals of the Story Grant are:
1. Bissu: Humanize the Chosen Human (Irwan Idris – IDN Times Makassar)
2. Sexual Harassment in Huntara Petobo (M. Rain Daling – Sultengterkini.com)
3. The Role of Women in Ngata Toro Customary Community (Muhammad Izfaldi – Media Alkahiraat Palu)
4. Learning from Chinese Acculturation in Palu (Tasman Banto – Harian Mercusuar Palu)
5. Conflict Resolution in Grass Root Women (Aldrimslit Thalafa – Kompas TV Biro Palu)
6. Reproduction Rights Fulfilling of Women Inmates (Sarifah Latowa – Kabarselebes.id)
By: Yuni Pulungan & Thowik SEJUK
