The Alliance of Independent Journalists Elects New President and Secretary General

<center>The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI)</center>


Eddy Soeprapto, the managing editor for investigation reports of the Kontan economic weekly tabloid, and Nezar Patria, an investigative journalist at the Tempo magazine, were both elected as President and Secretary General of the Alliance of Independent Journalists for the period of 2003-2005 on Sunday, Oct. 19.

They were both elected at AJI's fifth congress held in Cimanggis, Bogor from October 17, and they replace Ati Nurbaiti and Solahuddin.

Eddy, born Feb. 6 1963, told congress participants that Indonesia's press freedom is now threatened, first because of various parties among those in power who still dislike press freedom; and second because of lack of professionalism among the press itself.

Therefore Eddy said AJI's priority for the next period would be guard press freedom through the improvement of its professionalism, hence the need for improved education and cadre recruitment. "I dream that members will win various journalistic awards," he said. However he said the task of guarding press freedom can only be done with the cooperation of other groups.

Nezar, born in Sigli in Aceh on Oct. 5 1970, said AJI would also continue the earlier programs regarding its press unions. "Welfare among journalists is also still a big problem," said Nezar, who graduated from philosophy at the Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta. Therefore campaigns for the establishment of press unions in various media institution will continue, he said.

The congress also issued various resolutions on the protection of journalists, on the elections and on the code of ethics.

Jakarta , October 20, 2003


For further information, please contact:

Lensi Mursida
Office Manager
THE ALLIANCE OF INDEPENDENT JOURNALIST (AJI)
Jl. LAN I No. 12A, Pejompongan
Jakarta 10210
Phone : 62-21-5711 044
Fax : 62-21-5711 063
Mobile : 0815 94 35 493
Email : [email protected]