“KPK feels that the press are very strategic partners as the press are able to provide 'shock therapy' to corruptors,” said Haryono, in an address to participants of the Journalists' Anti-corruption Workshop 2008, at the Grand Nanggroe Hotel, Banda Aceh, Wednesday (29/10).
The activity, themed “The Media as A Strategic Partnership in the Fight Against Corruption”, was attended by 35 participants from various national and regional print and electronic media agencies. In addition to Haryono Umar, speakers included the Chairman of the Alliance of Independent Journalists Indonesia (AJI) Banda Aceh, Muhammad Hamzah and Wiratmadinata SH from the Law Faculty of Syiah Kuala University.
Haryono claimed that with increasing efforts to fight corruption it was essential that KPK effectively cooperate with representatives from the media. This has become necessary to minimize the increasingly prevalent levels of corruption in Indonesia.
“KPK can't work alone, without support and cooperation with elements of the print and electronic media,” he said.
The Chairman of AJI Banda Aceh, M Hamzah also emphasized the importance of the media speaking out against corruption whilst delivering his paper. With better media coverage, he said, the least we can do is to minimize corruption by giving “shock therapy” to offenders.
“Indeed, in order to broach a corruption case, colleagues, journalists must conduct investigations, and such investigations are fraught with various risks and challenges. For this, colleagues, journalists must equip themselves with knowledge that can facilitate investigations in the field,” Hamzah stated.
KPK spokesman, Johan Budi explained that the workshop was designed to create synergy between the media and KPK as an anti-corruption institution. “We hope that the media will become KPK's allies by paying close attention to the fate of the nation, particularly in regards to corruption which has become a national culture,” said Johan Budi.
Source : Serambi, 30 November 2008
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