Media Release: Indonesia
January 17, 2013
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins
its affiliate the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) in strongly condemning
the violence committed by members of the National Democratic Party (Nasdem)
against former Metro TV journalist, Luviana Ariyanti and supporters during a
protest outside the Nasdem office on Wednesday, January 16, 2013.
Ariyanti, a member of The Alliance of Independent
Journalist Jakarta, protested about disparities in the awarding of staff
bonuses at Metro TV. She intended to form a union to improve internal
procedures, including the enactment of an objective assessment scheme and improvements
in the protection of workers’ and women’s rights. The management considered
this move a direct threat to their authority and fired Luviana in January 2012.
Luviana Ariyanti, together with supporters, went to the Nasdem
office in Central Jakarta to submit a letter of recommendation from the National
Human Right Commission and National Women Commission to Surya Paloh, owner of
Metro TV and founder of the Nasdem Party.
Jojo Raharjo, the Coordinator of unions division of AJI,
said that the solidarity action was an effort to demand justice and
compensation for the dismissal
of Ariyanti by the management of Metro TV in early 2012.
Nasdem party members brutally attacked Luviana and her
supporters and destroyed a vehicle. Nasdem party members prevented journalists from
taking pictures of the rally.
The IFJ joins AJI in condemning the acts of violence and
demand that the Government hold the leader of the Nasdem party responsible for
the attack. We also urge the management of Metro TV to treat their staff in a
fair and just manner in accordance with employment law.
For
further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +61 2 9333 0950
The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131
countries
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