Lunch with Indria Samego

Pak Indria Samego, Indonesia's well-known political observer, loves yoghurt.

The first thing he did when he stood up to order some food at Marche Movenpick was to walk to the beverage section asking for yoghurt. He wasn’t lucky though. They restaurant was temporarily ran out of yoghurt.

We met up with Pak Indria yesterday. He will serve as the final judge for political subtopic in this year’s Anugerah Adiwarta Sampoerna. Friendly and humorous was the first impression that crossed our mind as he entered the room. Pak Indria said that he felt honored to become AAS 2007’s final judge, and we talked a bit about last year’s AAS and journalism in Indonesia.

Pak Indria specifically mentioned about high-solidarity amongst Indonesian journalists based on his experience: “For instance, I gave my cellphone number to one journalist, and the next thing I knew, other journalists will have my number as well!” he laughed.

After our lunch arrived, we started to talk about many things, including the controversial businesses’ contribution to the community we once posted in Maverick’s blog. Pak Indria told us that we can’t blame people for being skeptical when controversial businesses are trying to give back to the community. “Philantrophy is needed and it is good for the community,” said Pak Indria. “I think it’s better for them to give back rather than taking the profit for their own good and do nothing for the community.”

The part I like the most was when he talked about the tendency of today’s generation. “They have millions of rupiahs to spend on a concert ticket, but they don’t have that same amount of money to produce something. This nation can’t stop consuming things, but we don’t have the will to actually produce something. We have to change our mentality if we’d like to step ahead.”

Everyone, are you ready for a change? :)

Salute to Dewa...!

Last Friday, when I got home a bit late, I spotted a pretty familiar face on TV; it's on Om Farhan’s show, to be exact.

That day, Om Farhan did not invite celebrities or other prominent figures to his show. As opposed to that, he exposed those faces that are usually hidden behind their huge camera: ANTV reporters. I didn’t watch the show since the very beginning, but as I arrived, I saw Dewa’s face on screen.











I met Dewa ocassionally in several events. He is a big and tall guy with friendly smile who always stands out in the crowd. As a reporter in ANTV, Dewa sometimes come over to Maverick client’s public activities—mainly entertainment and urban activities. And sometimes sport. Thus, I was a bit surprised to see Dewa in Om Farhan that night, since Om Farhan was discussing about dedication in journalism, the risks and dangers awaited the journalists, and some ‘breath-taking’ moments that happened while they’re performing their job.

I gasped when I heard the story that actually Dewa was once being beaten by Brimob officials in Kotaraja, Papua, while reporting the succession of Kasat Brimobda Papua. This incident has also been reported in Seri Papua Aktual no. 5 published by Sekretariat Keadilan & Perdamaian Keuskupan Jayapura in June 2006 (p.16). I texted Dewa that night, and gave him a salute. Dewa replied humbly to that: ”Wow, I’m so ashamed. Hehehe. I don’t know that people will watch tonight’s show...”

I believe that there are lots of other ‘Dewa’ out there. Dedicated journalists who are just trying to perform their duty, and received unlikely treatment from opposing parties—a treatment that violate human rights; a treatment that could risk the journalists’ life. It reminds me of Kompas Cyber Media’s senior editor’s comment, Mas Cahyo Sasongko, on last year’s World Press Freedom Day. “Yang pasti, wartawan Indonesia itu many threats, less protection. Ada 3 unsur pelindung sekaligus ancaman: owner, state and society. Kita bermain di 3 unsur ini.”

However, we hope that threats experienced by Indonesian journalists won’t reduce their spirit to speak up and tell the truth to the whole wide world. Because we need transparency. Because we need to know the truth about what’s happening out there. And oftentimes, in this country, you’ve got to pay a very expensive price just for telling the truth.

What a shame.

Budi Putra is no longer in Tempo

Budi Putra, a journalist of Tempo, has no longer worked in the publication. He decided to become an independent writer, specializes in issues on technology for printed and online media abroad.

"I learned a lot during my five years in Tempo", he says. "Now is the time for me to move ahead and realize two of my passions, which are to be an independent writer and a full time blogger".

A full time blogger? "Yes, why not? We need someone who is brave enough to declare him/herself as a full-time blogger", he says. Blog is a new communication tool and sooner or later will become more powerful. "I want to encourage Indonesians to take part in the development of this new tool".

"Apart from that, now I have more time to enjoy life. FYI, now I'm in Bandung, enjoying a lovely afternoon with my family", he says. Oowwwhh.. that's so nice. I envy you, mas Budi! :)

Although now he's no longer with Tempo, he will still be a contributor for Tempo's blog. He's also actively blogging at CNET Asia, Asia Tech, 3GWeek, The Gadget, Blog Jurnalisme and Indonesia Tech.

Good luck, Mas Budi. All the best for you yaaah!! :) And please, since now you have more free time, come and visit us at the orange house! ;)

KONTAN: the Newspaper

On KONTAN 27 September 2006 10th anniversary, Editor in Chief Yopie Hidayat told Maverick that Kontan will publish a newspaper under the same name on February 2007. Guess what?! They are definitely on schedule.

The first issue of KONTAN newspaper will be published on Monday, 26th February 2007. I heard the news directly from one of the 30 new reporters they have hired for the daily.

As for the tabloid, they are moving the publication from Wednesdays to Sundays. So, for you KONTAN tabloid readers out there, who mostly living in Medan, Jakarta, or Surabaya, hope the newspaper will satisfy you as it is the tabloid.

'BRAVO' for children!

Penerbit Erlangga is well-known as publisher of text books. Since elementary school through high school, I saw the word "Penerbit Erlangga" printed in most of the text books I used. However, I just heard the news that Erlangga has published children’s magazine entitled BRAVO.

BRAVO is a magazine targeted for children age 8-12, and “aimed to equip children in pursuing their dreams” as stated by Uti, a contributor of this magazine. BRAVO is now available in news stalls in Jabodetabek area.

Bravo, BRAVO!

Para Group’s next move

I’ve heard a rumor that Para Group (Chairul Tanjung) is eyeing Indosiar and SCTV to further expand his media ownership in this country. The source said that Indosiar and SCTV would soon be transformed into Trans 8 and Trans 9 respectively.

Early this month, Tanjung was also reported to probe a deal with Dahlan Iskan on Jawa Pos group shares purchase (Tempo Interaktif, Feb 7)

Well if that is so, the media tycoon is about to spread his wings even wider then.

PC Magazine Indonesia's last edition

PC Magazine Indonesia, a leading computer magazine that has been published since 2004, starting next month will be no longer available in the market. Svida Alisjahbana, Vice President Femina Group on the official announcement written in February edition explains that due to the shifted trend of reading source, Femina Group has to terminate the publishing. Here is her explanation:

“Perkembangan yang pesat dalam beberapa tahun terakhir telah mengubah Teknologi Informasi dari suatu bidang khusus menjadi gaya hidup yang diterima oleh semua golongan masyarakat… Melalui analisa dan pertimbangan mendalam, kami berpendapat sudah bukan masanya lagi untuk menyajikan perkembangan Teknologi Informasi dalam suatu majalah khusus. Dengan sangat menyesal kami sampaikan bahwa PC Magazine Indonesia edisi Februari 2007 merupakan edisi terakhir kami.”

Curious to know what is really happened behind it, I called up our journo friend in PC Magazine Indonesia. He admitted that Indonesian readers begin to rely on online media as their source to know “what’s on” in IT industry, and it’s interesting that online media has been considered as a reliable source.

When I asked him about the decreased number of PC Magazine Indonesia’s readers as the side effect of this trend, he said the number of reader remains stable, and even though the decrease would happen, it wouldn’t be a reason for Femina Group to stop publishes PC Magazine Indonesia.

Looking to other publication run by Femina Group that has their specific theme, such as Femina, FIT, Cita Cinta, Gadis, AyahBunda, Men’s Health, Reader’s Digest, Dewi, Pesona, Seventeen, and Parenting, is it mean that Femina Group want to combine IT information to these media? or Femina Group plans to publish another computer magazine online?

We’ll wait and see…or maybe Femina Group would answer these questions?

Newstainment?

A few days ago, I had lunch with a friend of mine. He used to work as a program director for several well-known radio stations in Jakarta, before finally pursue his passion in music industry and join a digital music distribution company.

Anyway, on the way back to the office, he mentioned that lately, he and his wife watched late-night news program on a daily basis to find out up-to-date information on the Jakarta’s flood. Turned out, he got so annoyed by the performance of late-night news presenters in several private TV stations in Indonesia.

In his opinion, these news presenters were acting and dressing more like infotainment presenters: they move back and forth on stage, then sit down, and stand up again while delivering the news, they wear informal dress with too much accessories, they put on these curly wigs with bright color (the model worn in sinetrons), and the intonation of their speech sounds so ‘infotainment’*--while according to his experience, there are certain tones and intonations that should be used by news presenters.

“News presenters are supposed to be firm, right? You’ll never find such news presenter perform that way in Al-Jazeera, BBC, DW-TV, just name it! Where are those days when a woman like Desi Anwar stood firmly in front of the camera and deliver professional TV journalism?” he murmured.

After I watched the late-night news program, I kind of understand why he and his wife got so annoyed—why, his wife is a mass communication lecturer, and she knows exactly how a news presenter should dress up!

Ideally, a “news anchor” or “news presenter” is someone who appears on screen in professional dress (a suit, a blazer), delivering the news in certain intonation with a firm gesture (and I heard there are special trainings for becoming news presenters!). But, I don’t know if these ‘infotainment-style' tendency has becoming a new trend in Indonesian late-night news program... does it mark the birth of 'newstainment' of some sort?

Probably because the news program was aired late at night, the TV stations thought that colorful wigs, constant movements, and fancy dress would be tremendously eye-catching; it prevents you from falling asleep while watching the news. Or the stations are just lacking of night-shift news presenters?

Hmm, are there certain patterns to follow in news anchoring? Anyone can shed some lights here?
..................................

*I have nothing against infotainment presenters. Really. They’re supposed to wear fancy dress and accessories. So, no offense! :)


note: image was taken from Corbis, with keyword tv program

Indonesian Broadcasting Comission: a new Formation

The broadcasting industry is one of the fast-growing industry in Indonesia. Believe it or not, presently there are more than 50 TV stations, national and local, and hundreds of radio stations through out the nation. Although oftentimes the public expresses concerns over the quality of programs being offered, mostly by national TV stations, the industry is persistently growing, with few mergers here an there.

As an influential industry, one that can create public awareness, drive perceptions, and propose actions, the broadcasting industry, as many other industries, needs a set of rules. Here comes the Broadcasting Law No. 32/2002 and thus the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI), responsible to make, implement, and sanction regulations to the broadcasting industry, TV and radio stations.

Some might say that in the last three years, the Commission has done little, even failed, to change the industry to favor the general public interests -- that is for stations to provide other than violence, pornography, and supernatural programs. While advocators feel that the public should have faith in the Commission -- as it is not its fault that other government institution is trying hard to take away its authority.

Well, last Monday to Thursday, the Communication Commission of the House of Representatives has conducted fit and proper tests on 36 candidates for the new members of the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission. The result is a new 9-member-formation announced yesterday.

Congratulations to M. Izzul Muslimin, Fetty Fajriati, S. Sinansari ecip, Bimo Nugroho Sekundatmo, Selamun Yoanes Bosko, M. Riyanto, Sasa Djuarsa Sendjaja, Amar Ahmad and Yazirwan Uyun as the new members, and be prepared as difficult tasks awaiting.

Notice that the new formation consist of names from the industry, which was never been a part of the previous members’. Hopefully with industry representatives, the Commission is now equipped with experienced know-how and, at the same time, gained industry’s support.

For me, if it’s damn hard to drive the industry into the right direction, why not prepare the public for the journey. Media literacy has always been an effective way to equipped the public that the control is actually in their hand. Let the public choose what to see and listen, and what’s not.

Mainstream Media Enters the Blogosphere

We have sung our praise for Tempo for entering the blogosphere through its Blog Tempo Interaktif recently.

Not only that The Jakarta Post will most likely follow suit, as written by Unspun, I’ve also been told that Bisnis Indonesia is also considering launching a blog. They’re still in the preliminary stage of determining the concept though. Just a thought… Something like what The Age has done is pretty neat.

Anyway, can’t wait to see how it all pans out!

Will CSR (in Indonesia) loose its spirit?

Investor daily today, published an article on the government plan to issue the regulation on CSR practices.

The source in the article said that only 2% companies in Indonesia apply CSR. This reflected the low awareness of CSR practice among business players and the fact that CSR is not the matter they even consider about.

From my side, CSR is no longer responsibility when the government is involved in regulating it. Agree with Faisal Basri who was quoted in the article, he said, “With the government’s regulation, CSR would then loose its spirit”

Looking at the above small percentage, I believe the more important thing that government should do is a thorough examination on how to boost the number of CSR practitioners (companies) in Indonesia, without creating the sense of ordering people to do so.

The key word is ‘the awareness’, how to raise awareness is not as simply as issuing stiff regulation. Continuous and keen commitment from government to encourage companies could be translated into series of communications program or campaign.

The essence of CSR is the commitment from the companies to create better living in the society by putting your continues effort in it. CSR is no longer taken as the company’s cost but it is the investment for the future of the company itself.

Thus, I personally believe CSR is not the task that people can order you to do.

I can imagine many companies would only practicing CSR just for the sake of fulfilling their obligation to the government, that’s it! No sincere commitment from the companies to bring the betterment for the community they operate in.

If that happens, better use other terms then. How about Corporate Good ‘Responsibilities’?

(image was taken from corbis, with keyword: social responsibility)

Anugerah Adiwarta Sampoerna 2006: The Winners!!!

Anugerah Adiwarta Sampoerna 2006 officially announced its first winners in an awarding night conducted in Grand Ballroom of Sheraton Hotel, Surabaya (Dec 15).

After Effendi Ghazali as AAS Board of Judges' representative presented AAS judges report, Butet Kertaradjasa performed two episodes of monologue about journalism that made all viewers laugh out loud.



But the creme-de-la-creme of the night was, of course, the winners announcement!

Indonesian jazz legend Bubi Chen and senior music journalist Bens Leo, hightened the tension as they climbed on stage to present the nominees for art & music performance category. And the winners are:

• Hardnews: Adi Marsiela from Suara Pembaruan
• Feature: Bambang Sulistyo from Gatra
• Photo: Yudhi Sukmawijaya from Jurnal Nasional

The trophy was handed to all winners by Angky Camaro, Managing Director PT HM Sampoerna Tbk.

Award presenters for the sport category were Drs. Moh. Syadeli, 6 time consecutive Gold medalist in PON in wrestling, and Sumohadi Marsis, a senior sport journalist who are still active in KONI Pusat. The winners are:

• Hardnews: Bastian Alkaf from Mata Banua - Banjarmasin
• Feature: Adi Prinantyo from Kompas
• Photo: Sugeng Deas from Jawa Pos

The trophy was given to all winners by Vice Mayor of Surabaya, Arif Affandi. Unfortunately, Adi Prinantyo from Kompas couldn't come and receive the trophy himself, since he's still on duty in Qatar.

For economy/business category, the nominees were presented by Drs.ec.Sujoko Efferin, M.Com.MA.PhD, Dean of Economic Faculty from Surabaya University, together with Raksaka Mahi, Expert Staff of Ministry of Treasury. And the winners are:

• Hardnews: Rana Akbari Fitriawan from Tempo News Room
• Feature: Heri Susanto from Majalah Tempo

However, the duo made a shocking announcement by telling the audience that there was no winner for photo category in economy/business. "Don't be dissapointed, hopefully we'll see the winner in this category next year," said Harsya Soebandriyo, the Master of Ceremony for that night.

The trophy for winners in this category was handed in by Andrew White, Director of PT HM Sampoerna Tbk.

The nominees for social category were presented by Bagong Suyanto, a sociologist from Airlangga University, and Abdisuryaningati, the Director of YAPPIKA. The winners are:

• Hardnews: Adi Marsiela from Suara Pembaruan
• Feature: Irawan Santoso from Forum
• Photo: Raditya Helabumi from Kompas, East Java bureau

Adi Marsiela who had received a trophy for art & music performance category was shocked when his name got mentioned once more. He climbed the stage, with his hands covered up his face, and his eyes got teary as he received the trophy from President Director of PT HM Sampoerna Tbk., Martin G. King.

Nopiyanti from Nusa Bali, who was nominated for 4 categories in AAS 2006, did not receive a trophy that night. But she was already happy for becoming the most-nominated journalist in AAS 2006. "Aha, next year, I will submit 30-40 articles ... I will spend these upcoming months to write and write, and write," she said jokingly to Ipik Tanoyo from Bali Post.

Everyone who heard her laugh out loud.

***

After the show, all winners and the rest of the finalists celebrate their accomplishment. Bambang from Gatra and his folks left the hotel and went out clubbing--trying to find the hottest club in Surabaya. "You know, the club I went to last night? The music was weird," Bambang said the next morning with sleepy eyes.

While in Kawi Lounge at Sheraton's Hotel mezzanine floor, you could find Effendi Ghazali, Sumohadi Marsis, Angky Camaro, Butet Kertaradjasa, and Arif Affandi, having a small reunion over cups of coffee, while watching salsa band performance.

The clubbing effect made Hasiholaan from Antara and some of his friends got up late that morning, and missed the tour to Pasar Genteng. "Rommy (from Maverick) has rang us up on 7 am., and we did pick up the receiver, but I didn't know what happened next. Probably I fell asleep again right after that ... until Rommy called us back on 10. "

During the trip to House of Sampoerna, all finalists gave away their contact numbers and email address. "We have to keep in touch, AAS 2006 batch I," said Arif Kuswardono from Tempo.

***

Two guys. Journalists from two different media. Know nothing about each other, but then they found out that they’re actually neighbours!

This ‘heart-warming’ reunion (hehehe) happened between Josephus Primus from KCM and Arie M.P. Tamba from Jurnal Nasional in Juanda Airport, Gate 8—where all finalists of AAS 2006 were waiting for their GA flight back to Jakarta. This episode was just one of many touchy episodes happened during 3 days of AAS Awarding Night program.

***

Sure, we have to keep in touch! Just wait for the launch of AAS mailing list, ok ;p and see you there!!!

Bisnis Indonesia's "new" Tabloid

The Mavericks would like to congratulate Bisnis Indonesia as it celebrates its 21st anniversary today. Some of us actually went to Wisma Bisnis Indonesia there earlier today during lunchtime to congratulate them. 21 years is quite a long time and the newspaper has come a long way to become one of the most prominent business publication in Indonesia.

In today's edition, Bisnis published two pages of "Special Report" on the current “Media Business Trend”. Although overall it has that self "Congratulation Ad" feel, it is still very informative. It also has comments from Trade Minister Mari E. Pangestu, who probably gets quoted by Bisnis at least every other day.

On its 21st anniversary edition, Bisnis Indonesia is also announcing that its Sunday edition "Bisnis Minggu" will start coming out in a new format: a Tabloid.

Bisnis Minggu will be printed in fancier paper, will have more pictures, more features on business opportunities, tips, investment, automotive, etc. With all this, hopefully they will also earn more in advertising revenue.

Like other print media, Bisnis Indonesia has also tried publishing spin-off tabloid or papers of its main paper. The Trendigital tabloid is still on the shelves, but its sister publication Bisnis Uang only lived for a short period of time. Let’s hope for the best for this Sunday tabloid.

If you didn't already know, The Jakarta Post is also preparing its "Weekender" monthly magazine that's coming out in January 2007. This monthly magazine is also out to grab the ad money from the "lifestyle" products and services that have been "reluctant" to place ads in the daily paper edition. In a couple of months, TJP will decide whether this monthly supplement magazine could actually become a weekly edition.

So, we'll see how two newspapers will compete in the Sunday issue battle. The Jakarta Post currently has a circulation of under 40,000 while Bisnis Indonesia is over 80,000. Let's see how the math works out for the ad buyers.

Here's a peek of "Bisnis Minggu - Business Lifestyle" Tabloid. A journalist held a copy of its very first edition for Maverick's Shilla. This copy will be available for public on Friday 15 December 2006, but M. Sarwani (the editor of Bisnis Minggu) has given Mavericks several copies of it today.

AAS 2006: Photo Category Finalists - Congrats!

The moment you've been waiting for: Finalists for AAS 2006 photojournalist category has been decided. It was not an easy decision for the judges as most entries are of high quality. There were no questions in terms of photography techniques. Most interestingly is the message behind the pictures. As they say, pictures speaks louder than words.

Here are the names of photojournalists that will compete in AAS 2006's Awarding Night in Surabaya! Congratulations for all finalists!

From sport subcategory, the AAS 2006 photo finalists are:
1. Afriadi Akmal from Behind The Screen magazine (Tired)
2. Sugeng from Jawa Pos (Suporter Apes)
3. Danu Kusworo from Kompas (Nonton Balap Sepeda)

From social subcategory, the AAS 2006 photo finalists are:
1. Crack Palinggi from Reuters (Kebakaran Hutan)
2. Raditya Helabumi from Kompas biro Jatim (Selamatkan Warga)
3. Lasti Kurnia from Kompas (Dunia Sekolah Anak Bajo)

From economy/business subcategory, the AAS 2006 photo finalists are:
1. Lucky Pransiska from Kompas (Antisipasi Kebutuhan LPG)
2. Hasiholan from Batak Post (Pengangguran Meningkat)

From art & music performance subcategory, the AAS 2006 photo finalists are:
1. Yudhi Sukmawijaya from Jurnal Nasional (Tarian Jalanan)
2. Boy Harjanto from Indo Pos (Dalang Suket)

For economy/business and art&music performance subcategory, the board of judges decided to select 2 finalists only. "Other photos are also of high quality, but the two chosen are so outstanding that it was really difficult to choose the third one,” Effendi Gazali and Oscar Motuloh shared the same opinion.

However, the photos in sport subcategory received two-thumbs up from the judges. "The finalists’ pictures portray the current condition of Indonesian sport—and this is what photojournalism is all about,” photography expert Oscar Motuloh said enthusiastically.

The above-mentioned finalists will be invited to AAS Awarding Night in Surabaya on December 15, 2006, where winners of all categories will be announced.

However, seeing these pictures below, would you like to make your lucky guess on who will the winners be?

The Walkley Awards

The Walkley Awards are the Australia's most prestigious journalist accolade. The Walkleys were established in 1956. Starting from five categories, today Walkleys has grown to more than 30 award categories involving printed media, radio and television.
Last night, the Walkleys announced the 2006 Walkley Awards winners in Melbourne. We'd like to congratulate our journalist friend, who has been living in Indonesia for the past 10 months for winning one of the Walkley Awards. Morgan Mellish, an Indonesia Correspondent for the Australian Financial Review won the Walkey Awards for the Business Journalism category. His article, titled "The Robert Gerard Tax Scandal", was nominated in two categories, which were Print News Report and Business Journalism. He told Maverick that he needed couple of months to investigate the scandal and wrote such a detailed article on the issue. Well, it looks like all the hard work actually pays off! Well done, Morgan! We should celebrate it when we see you in the next JFCC event! :)

check The Walkley's website: http://www.walkleys.com//

Lativi got smacked down!

So, who's to blame on this “Smackdown” issue?

Well, most of us would blame Lativi, while the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) blames the Department of Communication and Informatics (Depkominfo).

It is easier for us to point fingers at Lativi. They are the one who were airing the program. They were the one who ignored KPI’s letter to move the time slot. It suits them good if they had suffer losses from this incident….

One simple way to smack Lativi is by signing an online petition. Some clausal, however, are not feasible while others need to be updated.

The first clausal states that Lativi must stop broadcasting such program. Well, for this matter, KPI have already given Lativi an administrative sanction. The sanction states that Lativi to stop broadcasting the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and all its extensions (Smackdown, Afterburn, Raw, Bottomline, Heat, Experience, and Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW)), as well as their on air promos. So, the first clausal has been responded well.

The second is urging KPI and Depkominfo to reevaluate the Broadcasting Law, especially on the law enforcement. This is a bit too much. The amendments of the Broadcasting Law is the parliament’s authority. It should be carried out by the House of Representatives 1st Commission, together with the government and industry. This is no small matter. There are too much political interests and economic stakes involved there. The Broadcasting Law itself is okay (nothing’s perfect). The problem lays with a series of Government Decree (PP) on Broadcasting, in this case No. 52 on Private Broadcasting Institution. The decree has transferred KPI’s authorities stated in the Broadcasting Law to Depkominfo, and thus taken away KPI’s authority in sanctioning TV stations. (Here's one reason why KPI loves Depkominfo so much.)

Next, urging the public to stop watching Lativi until there is a concrete act by the TV to stop broadcasting Smack Down. Is this another way of saying (and recommending) to watch our other TV stations? Anyway, I believe that Lativi is wise enough to stop the program by now. Petition granted.

In addition, number four, the last but not least, to urge all TV stations to reduce parents burden and responsibilities in teaching children by eliminating non-educative programs. Hm…. A while ago, while were discussing about media literacy, some friends argued that teenagers need to learn media literacy subject at school. I said NO, parents are in desperate need for media literacy!

Thus, I have one concrete, realistic recommendation should someone want to make another online petition: “Urging KPI, Depkominfo, and TV stations – together (for the best) or individually (at least) – to provide free Media Literacy courses.”

So, who's to blame on this “Smackdown” issue?

Let’s just stop pointing fingers… ;)

More Trophy for Bisnis Indonesia's Journalist

The Mavericks congratulate Th. D. Wulandari of Bisnis Indonesia for her achievement in winning the 3rd place of Plangi Journalist Award 2006. This award is organized by The Plaza Semanggi, and it aims to acknowledge the amazing works of the Indonesian journalists. I read some of Wulan's writings about culinary - she is surely a fine writer!

Keep up the good work, gal!

Cakram Lost 2 journalists ...

Cakram advertising magazine lost 2 journalists this month.

Fajar F. Purba and Meindarti Wahyuningsih have left Cakram and hopping onto B&B magazine as reporters. B&B is already well-known as a magazine that mainly discusses public relations, marketing, and outdoor advertising.

A while back, Cakram's journalist Agung Harsya has also left this business magz to pursue his career as a sport journo in Indonesian edition of FourFourTwo magazine.

Hmm, does it means there are several empty positions ready to be filled in Cakram? :)

Kontan Tabloid, Kontan Newspaper

Just to add on Awie’s recent posting about KONTAN’s 10th anniversary…

We also heard that KONTAN is going to publish a daily newspaper under the same name starting February 2007. And yes, this is confirmed because it was Pak Yopie himself who brought up the news.

Let’s just hope that the plan goes as scheduled, unlike err... The Point who has missed its deadline again and again, as Unspun wrote.

KONTAN BBQ a la Yopie Hidayat

It was a simple barbeque party in the parking place. The editor in chief himself, Mr. Yopie Hidayat who loves fishing so much, took the liberty to grill the fish he caught a couple of days before. And the evening was so warm that some reporters started to play the guitar and sang.

But who would have known that it was the 10th anniversary party of the weekly economic and business tabloid, KONTAN.

As an easy reading tabloid, KONTAN presents a micro and macro economics analysis of the current issues on local and foreign development. For some, KONTAN is said to be a brief yet complete tabloid. Brief in a sense that the content is portrayed directly with no delay in vague descriptions and ambiguous explanations as most economic newspaper and magazines do.

The tabloid presents economics issues plus economists perspectives and predictions in a complete way that non-economist readers would have no need to search for further readings, unless they have special reasons of course. An issue, oftentimes, is displayed by focusing on the impact to the Indonesian economy in the near future.

As for myself, I see KONTAN as friendly both in writing and in the people behind it. Readers from any backgrounds would have the privilege to enjoy the light, sometimes humorous language. Then, if one also has the privilege to meet those behind it, I would never have to explain what I mean by friendly is.

Happy 10th anniversary to a dear friend, KONTAN!