Moch. N. Kurniawan, Jakarta – A journalist-producer with SCTV television station has claimed he was dismissed due to an interview he did with a victim of a past military operation in Aceh to make the Indonesian Military (TNI) consider civilian victims during its current operation to crush Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels.
Dandhy Dwi Leksono, formerly a producer before he was told to leave the TV station on Saturday, said his dismissal came after a high-ranking TNI officer protested to SCTV about the interview.
The interview was part of the Dialog Khusus (Special Dialog) program aired on May 21, which also featured martial law administrator in Aceh Maj. Gen. Endang Suwarya and religious Acehnese figure Imam Sudja'. There had been no objection when he proposed the program, Dhandhy said.
He said his story on the life of an Acehnese poet, whose work promotes peace and respect for civilian life, was later banned by the TV station.
He said he had been informed by a senior manager that he was to be accepted as a permanent employee on May 25, but later was told that his contract was terminated. His six-month contract should have ended on May 24.
However, R. Nurjaman, SCTV senior manager in charge of processing who supervises all producers, denied Dandhy's claim.
"It was not a dismissal, Dandhy was never promoted to permanent employee. His six-month contract was not extended after we appraised him. It's nothing to do with his Aceh story," Nurjaman said.
Dandhy's case came amid restrictions on journalists covering the war in Aceh from presenting balanced reports. The martial law administrator has ordered local media not to print or air statements from the rebels.
The government has also appealed to national media to support the operation in Aceh and has promoted what it calls "patriotic journalism".
Commenting on Dhandhy's case, media analyst Agus Sudibyo called on the media to maintain the principle of covering both sides. He criticized media that leaned on the TNI for safety when covering the war.
"We have learned from history that we can't just trust the TNI due to its poor record," he said. Under the current situation, he suggested that coverage be focused on victims of the war.