Study case of Media in Maluku, Indonesia to cover Religion Conflict By Insany Syahbarwaty The Alliance of Independent Journalist (AJI)

Ambon Chapter

Population (2012)Total 1,531,402 Ethnic groups Significantly mixed ethnicity; Melanesian, Kei (11%), Ambonese(11%), Buton(11%), Malays, Javanese, Chinese Religion Islam (50.61%), Protestantism (41.4%), Roman Catholicism(6.76%), Hinduism (0.37%), Buddhism(0.02%), Confucianism (0.01%) Languages Bahasa Indonesian, Ambonese, other ethnic languages

Maluku conflict that affected over three years, from 1999 -2002 were the greatest conflict in the history of civilization of the people of Maluku. The conflict is not just swallow the loss of life and property, but also resulted in the joints of the cultural community be torn Maluku. Though Maluku widely known as an area with a prototype of tolerance and religious harmony for 32 years in the new order era. But after Indonesia entered a period of transition to democracy, especially after the collapse of the authoritarian new order regime in power for 32 years, religion conflict became the turning point of peace in Maluku. The most peaceful area of the inflamed provocation "religious war". People who are Muslims and Christians had lived peacefully, now even hostile. the fire nearly burned down brotherhood tradition that has been embedded in the culture and history of the people of this region.

Though short duration, but the Maluku conflict was allegedly a victim of conflict with the most victims and refuges when compared to similar types of conflict in Indonesia. Maluku conflict has even greater conflict victims, about 50 thousand people are died, both Muslims and Christian. Therefore, this conflict is one of the biggest conflicts in Indonesia, which actually occurred between the people of Maluku sensible person we call basudara or brotherhood culture.

The third round of the Maluku conflict, suddenly sticking at 11 September 2011, after the first round January 19, 1999 and the second round of 25 April 2004, although not massive and is able to quickly muted, but clashes 11 September 2011 quite jolting because of casualties and hundreds of homes burned and more than four thousand people were displaced.

The media is not ready then there is some distance by choosing not published, but others are in the unfortunate position of defending'' impressed'' a particular community. This condition is also sufficient psychological affects journalists in Maluku, even today, journalists are still difficult to position himself independently, often in the news journalists are in a dilemma between the reported facts or cover up the facts in order to maintain security and stability, although often only followed the false propaganda of peace-building dishonest.

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other side of media and journalists in Maluku as a tool impingement anger, scorn, until the blasphemy among other groups. Many people are troubled by the media like this. Journalists unconsciously formed as a journalist war or conflict. Unknowingly, too, the media has been spreading hate one group against the other, then the media failed to function as an agent of peace.

In 1999, when the conflict began, journalists and media directly involved in their religion, in the city of Ambon and several other cities in the Moluccas, separated by regions of Islam and Christianity, the separation of this region, occurs naturally, due to mutual slaughter between Muslims and Christians, even the media was finally separate, Muslim journalists can not work in the media who are in Christian area, otherwise Christian journalists can not enter in Muslim area.

This condition is further exacerbated by the media content of each is no longer balanced and defend their religion. For example, Daily Siwalima who are in Christian, writing news some Christians died becouse of Muslims, this news caused the conflict and then pop back. Instead Ambon Express Daily over defending lascar jihad, who is the outsider, who came to defend Muslims in Moluccas, consequently, be an excellent media propaganda respective interests.

there are many factors in addition to pressure churches and mosques, as well as there is a lot of intimidation and terror of the respective groups to the media. AJI Indonesia, which is concerned over this condition, formed a group house called the Maluku Media Centre, its function is to bring together two separate groups of journalists to make news for mutual correction, writing as to what is appropriate and inappropriate is media made by conflic

According to its function, the media become a tool to educate the public more wisely and honestly, about the meaning of human nature and life in the differences. Media intelligent and honest and put forward the humanitarian and differences were then able to make changes, changes that deliver two warring communities and spawned conscious reconciliation and peace both group. For peaceful coexistence.

In Maluku, media and journalist trying to build up a trust througt each other when a society is threatened by violent conflict, journalism faces greater difficulties. Opposing sides seek to control the media. Information can be unreliable or censored. There is personal risk. But this is also when good journalism is most important.

For reporters, change is news. And when there is change, there often is disagreement or conflict. There is conflict among those who like the change and those who do not, or those who want more change and those who oppose change.

Journalists deal with conflict very often in their work. But many journalists know little about the idea of conflict. They do not know the root causes of conflict, or how conflicts end. They do not know the different kinds of conflict.

for example : medical reporters do not just report on a persons illness. They also report on what caused the illness and what may cure it. News reporters can have the same skill when it comes to reporting conflict. And that what we do in Maluku conflict. for the beginning, journalist and media in Maluku try analyze what coused the conflict and try looking for the solution.

As professional journalist we need to have the skills to analyze conflict and it become more aware individual. One of the most important things to take place is communication. In Maluku, Journalist Muslim and Christian is sit together and talk. For two sides in a conflict to move towards a non-violent resolution, they must first talk. This is where good journalism comes in. And we start seek to present accurate and impartial news and build up the trust.

1. Start communication Sometimes the media is used by one side to broadcast intimidating messages. Stop this and be Cover Both Side of story. 2. Eduacate both groups Journalism which explores each sides particular difficulties in moving toward reconciliation. So educate people. 3. Build the trust Media can reduce suspicion by digging into hot issues and revealing them so there are no secrets to fear.

4. Correcting misperceptions By examining and reporting on the two sides misperceptions of each other, the media encourages disputing sides to revise their views and move closer to reducing conflict. 5. Identifying underlying interests In a conflict both sides need to understand the bottom-line interests of the other 6. Emotional outlet The media can provide important outlets by allowing both sides to speak.

7.Framing the conflict In good journalism, editors and reporters are always looking for a different angle, an alternative view, a new insight which will still attract an audience to the same story 8. Solution-building Good journalism is a constant process of seeking solutions

As journalists we should be in a position impartially and always mindful of that we are be able to make change for humanity, start from peace of mind then we can perform our duty with honestly and correctly. We can not change our past but we can do better for our future Insany syahbawaty THANK YOU