Disclosure of the Foreign Press Can Create Peace in Papua

Jayapura - senior politician from West Papua, Jimmy Demianus Ijie said it should be press for peace in Papua with the news is balanced and contains education for the community. "In early May, President Joko Widodo has open access for foreign journalists to Papua. This proves that the current government wants everyone to think positively and to build mutual trust. That is, the press both local, national and foreign should also openness," he said while in Jayapura, Papua, on Wednesday (7/10).

According to him, with the opening of access for foreign journalists to Papua, the same position as other provinces in Indonesia. It was not separated from the consciousness to establish mutual trust, begins with openness. "Because openness breeds trust and confidence will allow for dialogue that can enable the achievement of reconciliation or conflict resolution. The press demanded not only preach a balanced way but it's good to put forward the principle cover both side," said the PDI-P politician.

In the end of this decade, he said, appeared preaching style known as peace journalism (peace journalism). Peace journalism is a style of news media do conflict with menyisahkan space for peace. Therefore, he continued, the concept of 'cover both side' with the principle of balanced reporting can be misleading, if the media allow the two sides to attack each other through the news.

"In my opinion, the media today are supposed to carry not just 'cover both side' but puts up 'all both side' (all both sides). So that all parties involved or affected by an event needs to be confirmed or listened to the explanation," he said.

Case in point, Tolikara related events, which seem certain parties cornered whereas if listened well, tracing the case it will be seen clearly seated problem so it does not bias everywhere. "The media is very strategic for peace or mediate for all parties, but also the media has the potential to trigger a conflict if it is not wise to sort out the facts and packaging news. But, however, news selection and presentation techniques are an option for media managers," he said

Source: Republika News