Al-Jazeera cancels Papua documentary screening

Ary Hermawan , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Thu, 07/02/2009 11:12 PM | World
In what seems to be a last minute decision, television news network Al-Jazeera English decided not to premiere on Thursday a highly-sensitive documentary highlighting the plight of Papuans. It also removed the film’s synopsis from the list of feature films it will broadcast, which is published on its website.

It remains unclear, however, whether the Qatar-based TV-channel had postponed or completely called off the screening of the controversial documentary that will likely disturb the government in Jakarta. The Jakarta Post tried to reach Al-Jazeera officials for confirmation Thursday but to no avail.

The film’s screening is extremely sensitive as Indonesia will hold its second presidential election on July 8.

Titled Pride of Warriors, the documentary was directed by Australian filmmaker Jono van Hest, who claimed to have smuggled six video cameras into the troubled West Papua province. He said the filmmaking was inspired by the arrival of 43 Papuans seeking refugee status from the Australian government in 2006.

Van Hest has not replied to emails from the Post for comments.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Teuku Faizasyah said the government had not made any contact with Al-Jazeera to protest the TV channel’s decision to air the documentary and to request it cancel the screening.

“I do not know if they have called it off or postponed it. I waited for the film but it was not aired,” he said, adding the government had been disturbed by the documentary.

“It is a sensational film that is very one-sided. If it is true that the filmmaker had smuggled the cameras then he has violated Indonesian law and also the principles of journalism.”

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Friend H. (not verified) — Wed, 07/08/2009 - 5:50pm

Just the quote “It is a sensational film that is very one-sided. If it is true that the filmmaker had smuggled the cameras then he has violated Indonesian law and also the principles of journalism.” shows a lack of democratic understanding and respect to independent journalism.
Is there any comment to add? I don't think so...

Nigel (not verified) — Wed, 07/08/2009 - 3:24pm

From outsider points of view; Situation for Jakarta administration towards the natives in Papua, Maluku, Sulawesi seems the same like the Beijing administration act on the Tibetian & XinJian Uygur natives.
Furthermore, Jakarta administration can get hold most of the large islands in this Malay Archipelago should credited to the success of the Dutch colonial administration, it is not good to blame the past colonial influence, else, Nusantara should break into many countries same like Europe, the minority native should have their own ways of life, not being "controlled" or influence by the high population provinces.
Note: A country that ban truth gives permmission lies, and this lies will cause harm eventually.

Kortsleting (not verified) — Wed, 07/08/2009 - 2:13pm

Why are you people so happy to slice and dice this poor big country? Do you want to have another East Timor? 1963 referendum is just that, "disputed". I doubt either side can win their argument. If government screw up is a reason to break away, then we would have too many little countries here. Even East Timor story could be different if people waited a little bit until their welfare is improved. Indonesia needs time to fix its problems and slicing it up isn't going to work for anyone.

Gofur (not verified) — Wed, 07/08/2009 - 10:39am

Another stupid action from one of Australian…yes another stupid action.

What are you trying to do with Papua Province in Indonesia?

You know what? you even cannot dissolve your internal problem with Aborigin which you have been tortured for years till now. And suddenly you feel like a Santa by trying to "help" Papuan through this stupid media documentary?

fuhhhh....look what you have been doing with people in Papua New Guine and Solomon Islands? For me, you just simply prolong your colonialzation by covering it with your development project...fuhhhh what a shame! you are not different with British; Dutch; France and alike who colonialized us since 17th to 20th centuries....what a really shame of you!!!

Borsa — Wed, 07/08/2009 - 2:44pm

Hi Gofur, it would be nice that Indonesian journalists did the same kind of job as the Australian journalist you deem stupid. But Indonesian journalists are not more allowed than foreign journalists, to report independently from West Papua.
So, the only way to work properly is to smuggle cameras. Jono van Hest had the courage to do it. Foreign journalists not only can be arrested and banned from entering Indonesia again, but they also risk their life. Let us remember the killings of the Balibo five and of Dutch journalist Sander Thoenes by TNI squads. Nobody can blame Indonesian journalists, though, because they risk perhaps even more than foreigners. Indonesian journalists have been arrested and tortured at the hands of security forces. A number have been shot by TNI in Aceh, Timor Leste and elsewhere, while on assignment.
It is not exact to say that British and French colonized Indonesia. The islands that today make up Indonesia have been colonized some by Spanish, others by Portuguese and Dutch. At its independence from Dutch colonization, Indonesia did not include West Papua. West Papua was invaded by TNI in 1963 when the Dutch, under pressure from the U.S.A., left the country. The Indonesian authorities have claimed West Papua as one of the provinces of Indonesia. Actually, West Papua is a colony of Indonesia, under the yoke of murderous security forces. That’s what independent journalists and other observers have seen and reported.

Blix (not verified) — Tue, 07/07/2009 - 3:19pm

Perhaps the film wasn't worth showing and Al-Jaz realised that in the nick of time.

Anyway what does Faizasyah know about the principles of that line of work, and whose to say smuggling cameras is a violation of journalism?

Nick B (not verified) — Tue, 07/07/2009 - 1:27pm

"Australians do to Aboriginals" is not a fair comment.

Horrible things have happened, yes, but the media including film makers have had the chance to explore the issue and people have had a chance to decide themselves, the result being the "Sorry" by Aus Prime Minister Rudd. The fact that Al-Jazeera has denied us all that right is disappointing and will impact how I view their programming in the future.

The fact that the director felt he had to smuggle the camera's into Indonesia is also a worry. What are the authorities trying to hide? And how did they get Al-Jazeera to toe the line!

Indonesian (not verified) — Tue, 07/07/2009 - 7:52am

kinda remind me of what the Australians do to the Aborigines

Helena van der Winden (not verified) — Sun, 07/05/2009 - 3:44pm

OK, it is very possible that the Indonesian government involve in the cancellation of the documentary. In fact, I am really sure of the Indonesian government's involvement.

However, why nobody seems to understand that Al-Jazeera is partly responsible too in the cancellation of this program. Do you honestly believe that Al-Jazeera is a free, indepencent and unbiased media? Thank God I am not that naive. Hope you remember that Al-Jazeera is owned by the Qatari government.

Markus Hagenauer — Mon, 07/06/2009 - 2:18pm

Of course, Al-Jazeera is not absolutely independent, but the fact that they first decided to show the film makes clear, that something must have happend in the last days and that there has been some force from outside that made Al-Jazeera cancel thier previous decision.



Jose Dinoy (not verified) — Sun, 07/05/2009 - 7:28am

Excellent publicity for the documentary. It should now attract more viewers. However, what audience is the documentary targeting. Most of my country men and women are not much interested what is going on in Papua, even if they are aware of the goings-on; they are too busy making ends meet. Don't be mistaken: povert is rife all over Indonesia despite all the handphones and motor bikes. The Papuas are, of course, well aware of the awful situation. Aiming at the so-called political elite would be much better served after the elections. If SBY wins, he may be open to some dialogue on Papua; given the backgrounds of most of the other candidates, they certainly will not! However, in the end what counts is TNI and money and they have proven to make a most decisive mix in Indonesian politics.

Imawan (not verified) — Sun, 07/05/2009 - 4:08am

I think that this is the right decision because this is not good interferes with Indonesia's problems. The best thing to do from those people who don't agree about this, is to just to send your consent/complaints to the nearest Indonesian Embassy, etc.
Also, one thing that everyone must remember is it is either you like or not like, you have like that Papua is a part of Indonesia.

Borsa — Wed, 07/08/2009 - 2:09pm

Dear Imawan, that West Papua be a part of Indonesia is the version of the Indonesian authorities since 1963, and of a few Indonesians like you who seem to have some interest in that question. Apart from a sham referendum in 1969, sponsored by a coward UN under the influence of the USA, the actual owners of that land, that is, the different people native of West Papua, have not yet expressed their willing to be part of Indonesia. So give them a chance to freely express their opinion on this, instead of speaking on their behalf.

Kim ludvig (not verified) — Sat, 07/04/2009 - 7:45pm

One additional issue in this case is that it shows that Al-Jazeera clearly show it is not the "flaggship" for the free and unbiased journalism, that they like to portray them self as. This is not the only example where Al-jazeera have allowed themself to be pressured by goverments or powerful players.
Hopefully this case will open peoples eyes not only for the Papuan peoples situation, but also for Al-Jazeeras sometimes biased journalism and unwillingness to critizise goverments and powerful/popular organisations in their area.

Borsa — Mon, 07/06/2009 - 8:53am

Not so long ago, British journalist Max Stahl made a footage of the Santa Cruz cemetary massacre in Dili. He had to bury the videotapes and a few months later he was able to retrieve them and smuggled them out of Timor Leste, so that ordinary people would at last be reached by evidence of atrocities in Timor Leste under the yoke of the Indonesian military. Again in 1999, after most foreign journalists had departed from Timor Leste when TNI and their militias had begun their killings and sacking, Max Stahl was there again, secretely filming from the heights of Dili.

According to Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokeman Teuku Faizasyah, this amounted to "violating Indonesian law and the principles of journalism". Max Stahl risked his life for reporting from occupied Timor Leste. He not only complied with the rules of journalism, he actually did it in a heroic manner.

Ten years later, Jono van Hest releases his film from West Papua, a country occupied since 1963 by militaristic Indonesia and where journalists are denied entry visas. Filming West Papua using smuggled cameras is a highly risky project, in a country under the permanent, hostile watch of BIN or Kopassus. Jono van Hest was able to produce a film that is a precious, first-hand account of what is going on in West Papua. I wish him the same mediatic success as Max Stahl's videos. Let us hope that his film will trigger worldwide attention on the plight of West Papua. And let's hope that this time, a more democratic Indonesia will accept facing the problems, instead of continuing to cover them up.

Julian (not verified) — Sat, 07/04/2009 - 4:35pm

I originally wrote this as a response to this (http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/07/01/al-jazeera-premiere-papua-...) but with the news that the program has been canceled and the activity on this, I would like to make my comment here.

Mr. Darmosumarto,
It is nice to hear someone articulate an argument in defense of Jakarta’s strategy in Papua. Unfortunately, it is not convincing. First of all, the fall back argument “Indonesia is a developing country” wont work forever. But ok, lets look at your entire argument and call this an economic problem. Why then, is Indonesia’s richest province the least developed and stagnating? Why is there only one MP from Irian Jaya? Why is the GDP of non indigenous people in Papua so much higher than those from Papua in Papua? Let me ask you the simplest question. Can you give some examples of improvements since 1997?

The question about celebrating the diversity of Indo is a red herring. Australia and Canada genuinely try to have diversity celebrated. They allow people to celebrate their traditions, while ensuring they are part of the national fabric. Indonesia can’t say this. Why are an overwhelming majority of images on the TV and newspapers showing Papuans in an angry, negative light? Why are there so many jokes about Papuan dirty black skin and ugly curly hair? Why from Sumatra to Sulawasi is the Koteka humorous instead of honorable? Why are the only celebrated Papuans football players and musicians and no intellectuals are ever presented? Indonesia has already emotionally divorced itself from Irian Jaya.

So why not go ahead and physically divorce? Suharto fought so hard to keep Indonesia together not because of some great belief in diversity, but because Java island is not where the money is. The Outer Islands have been propping up Jakarta. None more so that Irian Jaya. If Irian Jaya is not under occupation, why are the police and security forces dominated by people not from Papua? It always seems to come back to money and getting rich overnight, instead of earning it over time. The only thing that has made handsome progress is the rate that natural resources leave Papua.

The worst part is the shutting down of criticism. Indonesian people try to kill criticism by saying it is “not polite” to be confrontational. Prita is not in jail now because the rules and dictates of the New Order are gone. Indonesians are aware of their rights and responsibilities as citizens. It is embarrassing how the Foreign Ministry approached this AJE program. Their spokesman admitted to not even watching it! So how does he know it is sensational. Does Teuku Faizasyah really think that since AJE is not Western backed the nefarious behavior Jakarta practices in Papua should be glossed over? Enough of the excuses and side stepping. It is not always the Dutch, Americans, Chinese, English, NATO, Doctors, your mother dying, Malaysia, he is being corrupt too, Western arrogance, the bus was late, Indonesia is a developing country, or traffic’s fault. Michael Jackson wrote a song about the man in the mirror. Try to learn from it Mr. Darmosumarto.

George P (not verified) — Sat, 07/04/2009 - 2:43pm

The question that the commenters are not asking here is - was the documentary accurate? Given that the filmmaker spent months with the OPM and has said publicly that he made the film to be sympathetic to them, it is likely that the film was pulled because it was propaganda rather than a documentary.

I think that the real reason this film was not screened was that Al Jazeera realised that the film was not up to their usual standards of impartiality.

Markus Hagenauer — Tue, 07/07/2009 - 1:07pm

Each documentary shows things from some position. And it is good to see whats going on there in the view of the Papuans, becouse the official view of military, police and governement we can see and hear every day.
If the film would be just propaganda, why Al Jazeera has first decided to show the film? If this would be the reason, who don´t they give a statement?
Someone very powerfull must have been involved in the last days befor the premiere, so that AJ neither dare to show the documentary, nor to talk about the reason for this decision.

Keith harding (not verified) — Sat, 07/04/2009 - 11:06am

Strategy- what a way to get people enthusiastic about a movie is by pulling it and saying its controversial. what will most likely happen is that its played at a later date with 1000% more audience than previously anticipated due to the free publicity.

Moksha (not verified) — Sat, 07/04/2009 - 1:39am

Dear readers,
The pulling of this documentary just shows what a huge ammount of criminality and brutality the Indonesian Government and their Military have to hide-why else would one of the most free thinking news groups in the world who pride themselves in representing the unrepresented FAIL to show what must be a truly revealing and groundbreaking piece of journalism>>>
there must have been some huge threats made.

Regarding an earlier comment made here about Indonesia's sovereignty over Papua>Why should Indonesia not talk to NGOs and other Governments about Papua? This unwillingness to talk openly also shows the extent of the unanswered questions Indonesia trys to hide. What is wrong with having a conversation with world leaders about West Papua?

Of course the massive gold and copper mines in Papua are hugely important to Indonesia's economy but the human rights abuses which have unfortunately occurred alongside them are also very detrimental to Indonesia's reputation as a 'Democratic' state.

I challenge anyone who denies the extent of the horrific crimes Indonesian security forces have commited on the Papuan people, to go to West Papua themselves and speak to Papuans and hear their experiences. You will find it hard to meet anyone who has not been negatively affected by Indonesian rule. Women and girls in rural areas were raped only a few weeks ago by Indonesian military personnel and yesterday 2 Papuans were shot, one killed by the same forces.

I challenge you to seek this information for yourselves rather than believe the propaganda and let the others decide the news we hear and see.



Estudiante — Fri, 07/03/2009 - 11:17pm

I hope AJ will broadcast this documentary in the near future anyway. The situation in West Papua is critical and should be addressed as soon as possible. Indonesia claims to be supporting democratic values, so it should allow freedom of press and travel within its boundaries.

Amy Huon (not verified) — Fri, 07/03/2009 - 10:00pm

I hope that Al-Jazeera reschedule this documentary. I would really like to see it. More importantly I would like to see a world where the media is not censored by vested interests.

WPAN (not verified) — Fri, 07/03/2009 - 9:36pm

In response to Mr. Ali's comment ... all Papuan's would like to improve their economic and social status ... especially in what they consider to be their own homeland – Papua!

The Indonesian government has been present in Papua for over 40-years ... PT Freeport has been a major fiscal contributor to the Indonesian Government, yet in Papua there is a disproportional bias against ethnic Papuans in all areas: education, healthcare, and employment.

Papuans feel that they are treated as second-class immigrants, more like stray dogs, in their own homeland, and if and when they speak out about their frustrations over their situation they are treated as political criminals.

West Papua Action Network (USA)

We are approaching the first-year anniversary of the death of Opinus Tabuni. (A Message To The UN From The Family Of Opinus Tabuni: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtvbQjFiztU )

Opinus was just one Papuan from an unknown number of Papuans that have suffered injustice in Papua, it is therefore not hard to understand why many Papuans are no longer scared to talk about their experiences and the injustices that frequently occur in Papua.

“Pride of Warriors” may not be the Red and White that the Indonesian Government would like to see, but we are no longer in the Suharto era!

Jules Cooper (not verified) — Fri, 07/03/2009 - 5:38pm

we are outraged of this censorship by Indonesia.

It is clear that the foreign ministry pressure has prohibited this documentary from going out to a worldwide audience.

If there is peace and freedom in West Papua, why must they stop people from reporting this? In fact their desperate censorship only shows the truth that Indonesia continues to perpetrate against human rights in West Papua. Instead of covering this up, why not they do something to stop it?

All journalists must double their effort to reveal this truth which Indonesia wants to hide from us! Please make this a big issue so that they may not vanish the news about human rights along with the people of West Papua.

Write to Al Jazeera to request that they play the film and stand up for freedom of speech and human rights for all the oppressed peoples!

Ziad Faraj (not verified) — Fri, 07/03/2009 - 3:58pm

One of the common sense things is to be annoyed if someone dumbs the voice of freedom, but what is really maddening is that AlJazeera which is a revealer of the truth would dump the voice of freedom and prevent it from being revealed ........."I doubt it".
I hope this would be only a kind of postponing for a technical fault, and after that it would be aired as soon as possible.

Minke (not verified) — Fri, 07/03/2009 - 2:36pm

The filmmaker realy violated an indonisan law. But it is a law that violats the freedom fo the press. And thats the real crime, not to smuggle, but the law.
Which principles of journalism he violated? It is a very importent principle of journalism to look very close at things somebody wants to hide, althogh it is a mighty government and military that has something to hide.

Damai (not verified) — Fri, 07/03/2009 - 12:10pm

There is must be something of it so the Indonesian government is worry about it. Smuggling is the best way to have any data and fact truly from Papua since no access allowed by the government for any foreign journalists to come Papua.

Just tell the truth, and let it out and speak for itself :)

River Wilkey (not verified) — Fri, 07/03/2009 - 11:55am

If there is not one media source that has the courage to show the truth we shall all live in deceipt. The oppression of the Papuans by Indonesian military is as real as you can get. The cancellation of the documentary Pride Of Warriors is an outrage to all. Al-Jazeera must re-schedule the release of this film.

Ingin tahu tetapi tak heran (not verified) — Fri, 07/03/2009 - 11:54am

seems like alJazeera aren't the only ones scared of talking about reality in Papua.
a very interesting development indeed. It is kind of Ironic the program in question is "Witness". Is this yet another case of the TNI intimidating a witness to human rights abuse? Seems to happen all the time in this country, when are we going to shake of the Suharto era?
SO Al Jazeera, who pride themselves on being an alternative voice, have decided that this film will upset the TNI butchers too much. Al Jazeera are really not the champions of freedom of speech or journalistic integrity after all, they are just the same as any other Eurocentric colonial media empire after all their posturing, just as much in the service of human rights abusers as CNN and Fox and BBC. This is the network that went in saying that it was on the side of the oppressed, seems like they are now on the side of the oppressor. Another sad day for press freedom.
Reading between those lines, one has to ask exactly what kind of direct or indirect, implicit or explicit, pressure has been brought on Al Jazeera by the Indonesian government? Were issues of access to Indonesia raised or implied?
And who is the real villain in this piece? Is it a filmmaker who had to smuggle cameras because the Indonesian military keep out all foreign media, and arrest and disappear anyone helping a journalist? Is it the Indonesian media in general for being too timid to properly raise the issues of human rights abuses in Papua? Or is it the current Indonesian government, scared of a military led nationalist diversionary backlash via Prabowo or WIranto next week? After all Kopassus are present in the highlands of Papua handing out Prabowo's electoral material.

The question is, is this kind of censorship really in the interests of the ummah? Does this reflect well on the Islamic values Al-JAzeera says guide it? Surely if all this is merely a propaganda film, then it should be out in the open and discussed as such?

It will be interesting to see if this comment is published here, to see whether press freedom affects JP too.

John Ralph (not verified) — Fri, 07/03/2009 - 11:39am

There are two issues here.
Firstly, the world wants SBY to be re-elected for reasons that are obvious to all. Hence even the rest of the Muslim world wants SBY to have the best chance. The consequences of SBY not winning would be a disaster for Indonesia.
The second point is that West Papua was stolen from its people. This was with the support of the USA and indeed Australia and others. There was the commercial interest of Freeport and the Soeharto family interests at stake, and of course the so called communist threat.
Indonesia is happy to go on about its colonist past but of course that does not apply to Indonesia colonising West Papua, something that is 100% against Islam.
As they say in Indonesia - money talks, and bull... walks.