Dear Messrs Jacob Oetama
St Sularto
Suryopratomo :
1. We are writing in support of the Alliance of
Independent Journalists (AJI) in its dispute with the
KOMPAS Daily over the proposed transferred and then
dismissal of Bambang Wisudo on 8 December 2006.
2. Having read the AJI’s statement and studied its
case, we have concluded that the management had acted
arbitrary and without regard to the due process of
good labour-management relations and of Indonesian
law.
3. Indeed, as a professional organization of editors,
reporters and photo-journalists, we are disappointed
with the seemingly unprofessional attitude and action
of your management in dealing with Wisudo, a fellow
journalist with 15 years’ service to KOMPAS Daily.
4. It appeared to us that a case of victimization
could be made out against your management on the
grounds of Wisudo’s role as Secretary of KOMPAS Trade
Union, in particular in his efforts to “improve PKK’s
reportage standards and constructively address
policies instituted by KOMPAS Daily management which
are disruptive to workforce productivity and the
paper’s readers.”
5. As such, we stand firmly AJI in its protest against
the management’s high-handed and drastic action
against Wisudo and its lack of respect for the AJI as
union duly elected to represent KOMPAS Daily
member-journalists in their grievances with the
management.
6. At the same time, we would like to urge your
management to exercise the sacred duty and
responsibilities of a renowned national newspaper
group, with an international reputation to keep, to
sit down with the AJI leaders and negotiate a fair
settlement over the Wisudo case.
7. We further urge your management to help create a
conducive atmosphere for the two-party talks by first
rescinding the dismissal of Wisudo without immediate
effect.
8. We believe the talks, if convened, should address
the key concerns of AJI and its members, including a
transparent investigation of events leading to the
Wisudo lock-out and sacking.
9. In the name of justice and good labour practices,
Wisudo and any staff member of the newspaper should
enjoy the right of representation by his union in
their disciplinary disputes with the management,
including the appeal against ny unfair and unjustified
job re-assignment.
10. We believe that the case of Wisudo has
international repercussions. For to dismiss a
journalist without just cause is a threat Press
Freedom, not only in Indonesia but worldwide.
11. The alternative to negotiation and a
mutually-accepted settlement of the dispute will be
more incriminations and antagonistic AJI-KOMPAS Daily
industrial relations.
12. We in AJA would urge you to act professionally and
legally by sincerely making the effort to resolve the
Wisudo case fairly and equitably. This will
certainly turn a new chapter in your relations with
AJI.
For Press Freedom, Peace and Professionalism!
Lee sang-Ki
President
Asia Journalists Association
Cc: Heru Hendratmoko
Chairman
AJI
St Sularto
Suryopratomo :
1. We are writing in support of the Alliance of
Independent Journalists (AJI) in its dispute with the
KOMPAS Daily over the proposed transferred and then
dismissal of Bambang Wisudo on 8 December 2006.
2. Having read the AJI’s statement and studied its
case, we have concluded that the management had acted
arbitrary and without regard to the due process of
good labour-management relations and of Indonesian
law.
3. Indeed, as a professional organization of editors,
reporters and photo-journalists, we are disappointed
with the seemingly unprofessional attitude and action
of your management in dealing with Wisudo, a fellow
journalist with 15 years’ service to KOMPAS Daily.
4. It appeared to us that a case of victimization
could be made out against your management on the
grounds of Wisudo’s role as Secretary of KOMPAS Trade
Union, in particular in his efforts to “improve PKK’s
reportage standards and constructively address
policies instituted by KOMPAS Daily management which
are disruptive to workforce productivity and the
paper’s readers.”
5. As such, we stand firmly AJI in its protest against
the management’s high-handed and drastic action
against Wisudo and its lack of respect for the AJI as
union duly elected to represent KOMPAS Daily
member-journalists in their grievances with the
management.
6. At the same time, we would like to urge your
management to exercise the sacred duty and
responsibilities of a renowned national newspaper
group, with an international reputation to keep, to
sit down with the AJI leaders and negotiate a fair
settlement over the Wisudo case.
7. We further urge your management to help create a
conducive atmosphere for the two-party talks by first
rescinding the dismissal of Wisudo without immediate
effect.
8. We believe the talks, if convened, should address
the key concerns of AJI and its members, including a
transparent investigation of events leading to the
Wisudo lock-out and sacking.
9. In the name of justice and good labour practices,
Wisudo and any staff member of the newspaper should
enjoy the right of representation by his union in
their disciplinary disputes with the management,
including the appeal against ny unfair and unjustified
job re-assignment.
10. We believe that the case of Wisudo has
international repercussions. For to dismiss a
journalist without just cause is a threat Press
Freedom, not only in Indonesia but worldwide.
11. The alternative to negotiation and a
mutually-accepted settlement of the dispute will be
more incriminations and antagonistic AJI-KOMPAS Daily
industrial relations.
12. We in AJA would urge you to act professionally and
legally by sincerely making the effort to resolve the
Wisudo case fairly and equitably. This will
certainly turn a new chapter in your relations with
AJI.
For Press Freedom, Peace and Professionalism!
Lee sang-Ki
President
Asia Journalists Association
Cc: Heru Hendratmoko
Chairman
AJI
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