Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Metro TV journalist Desi Anwar who was accused of involvement in an attempt to assassinate Timor Leste President Ramos Horta has called for support and protection from Indonesia`s Press Council and journalist associations.
"Ramos Horta`s accusation against me is unfounded and irresponsible . It has also created a bad perception harmful to me as a journalist and an individual. I will take the matter to the Press Council and professional organizations," she said here Thursday.
Desi was also expected to tell the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) about the Timor Leste President`s false accusation and ask for IFJ protection.
"The accusation is damaging my reputation at home and abroad. I could be banned from entering a country due to the accusation. As a journalist, I often cover events abroad," she said.
A member of the Press Council, Wina Armada, said he was ready to receive information from Desi about her problem and give moral support to her.
"The Press Council is obliged to help and protect every member of the press community. We will receive Desi Anwar and our friends from Metro TV (an Indonesian private TV satiation) tomorrow (Friday/ April 25)," he said.
Meanwhile, chairman of the Indonesian Journalist Association (PWI)`s foreign affairs section, Saiful Hadi, told newsmen that PWI would help defend Desi Anwar as according to information he had received, the Metro TV journalist was not wrong.
"We will hear about Ramos Horta`s accusation directly from Desi. If the accusation is unfounded and not supported by evidence, PWI will urge Ramos Horta to withdraw his accusation. Horta must also apologize to Desi, Metro TV and the Indonesian people," said Saiful Hadi who is also Chief Editor of ANTARA news agency.
According to Saiful, nobody, not even a president, could level an accusation against someone else without evidence. "The accusation against Desi could disrupt her journalistic works and threaten her life," he said.
On Ramos Horta`s accusation against Desi Anwar, Metro TV made a clarification on the matter.
It was untrue that Metro TV journalist Desi Anwar was involved, either directly or indirectly, in an attempt to assassinate Timor Leste President Ramos Horta.
It was also untrue that, as a journalist, Desi Anwar had facilitated Major Alfredo Reinado`s trip to Jakarta or other places in the world.
In her professional history as a journalist, Desi Anwar did not know Major Alfredo Reinado as an individual and did not make any direct or indirect contact with Reinado.
Thus, according to Metro TV, Ramos Horta`s accusation against Desi Anwar was unfounded, irresponsible and had a created a bad perception harmful to Metro TV as an institution and Desi Anwar both as a journalist and an individual.
Metro TV has been looking forward to giving chances to President Ramos Horta to make corrections on his statement which was declared openly and quoted by media worldwide, and till April 22, 2008, at 2 pm, he did not make any correction, Metro TV needed to issue an official denial.
Metro TV urged President Ramos Horta to soon make a rectification on the unfounded accusation. (*)
"Ramos Horta`s accusation against me is unfounded and irresponsible . It has also created a bad perception harmful to me as a journalist and an individual. I will take the matter to the Press Council and professional organizations," she said here Thursday.
Desi was also expected to tell the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) about the Timor Leste President`s false accusation and ask for IFJ protection.
"The accusation is damaging my reputation at home and abroad. I could be banned from entering a country due to the accusation. As a journalist, I often cover events abroad," she said.
A member of the Press Council, Wina Armada, said he was ready to receive information from Desi about her problem and give moral support to her.
"The Press Council is obliged to help and protect every member of the press community. We will receive Desi Anwar and our friends from Metro TV (an Indonesian private TV satiation) tomorrow (Friday/ April 25)," he said.
Meanwhile, chairman of the Indonesian Journalist Association (PWI)`s foreign affairs section, Saiful Hadi, told newsmen that PWI would help defend Desi Anwar as according to information he had received, the Metro TV journalist was not wrong.
"We will hear about Ramos Horta`s accusation directly from Desi. If the accusation is unfounded and not supported by evidence, PWI will urge Ramos Horta to withdraw his accusation. Horta must also apologize to Desi, Metro TV and the Indonesian people," said Saiful Hadi who is also Chief Editor of ANTARA news agency.
According to Saiful, nobody, not even a president, could level an accusation against someone else without evidence. "The accusation against Desi could disrupt her journalistic works and threaten her life," he said.
On Ramos Horta`s accusation against Desi Anwar, Metro TV made a clarification on the matter.
It was untrue that Metro TV journalist Desi Anwar was involved, either directly or indirectly, in an attempt to assassinate Timor Leste President Ramos Horta.
It was also untrue that, as a journalist, Desi Anwar had facilitated Major Alfredo Reinado`s trip to Jakarta or other places in the world.
In her professional history as a journalist, Desi Anwar did not know Major Alfredo Reinado as an individual and did not make any direct or indirect contact with Reinado.
Thus, according to Metro TV, Ramos Horta`s accusation against Desi Anwar was unfounded, irresponsible and had a created a bad perception harmful to Metro TV as an institution and Desi Anwar both as a journalist and an individual.
Metro TV has been looking forward to giving chances to President Ramos Horta to make corrections on his statement which was declared openly and quoted by media worldwide, and till April 22, 2008, at 2 pm, he did not make any correction, Metro TV needed to issue an official denial.
Metro TV urged President Ramos Horta to soon make a rectification on the unfounded accusation. (*)
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