Maverick Indonesia

Welcome to the world!

Congratulations to Asep Ginanjar (from Soccer tabloid) and his wife Riska, for their newborn baby girl, Sekar Gianna Imtinan (meaning a flowery gift from God). Just take a peek at this precious moment: the proud father and his cute tiny ‘flower’. It says everything you need to know!

KPI Award: Rewards for Best TV Programs

The Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) announced the winners of the first KPI Award last Tuesday (19/03). The 2007 KPI Award was established to reward TV stations and producers that have provided the best programs for the public. The Award consists of five categories, namely children’s program, documentary, soap opera (sinetron), investigative news and talk show.

Hopefully, the award will spur our TV stations to begin competing to provide the public with more educative and positive entertainment, rather than a mere ratings fight against each other.

As far as I’m concerned, ratings had resulted in programs that focus on criminality, mysticism and pornography for the public. Yes, the public enjoy such programs, but are these kinds of programs in the public’s best interests?

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Andy F. Noya Says Goodbye to the Editor-in-Chief Position

Andy F. Noya is confirmed to leave the Editor-in-Chief position at Metro TV starting May 1st, 2008. However, he is still going to host the highly acclaimed “Kick Andy” talk show and maintain his role as the Corporate Advisor of Media Group.

Bang Andy joined Metro TV in early 2006, replacing Don Bosco Selamun who is now a Commissioner of the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI).

Who’s going to lead the wind of change? Well, we also heard rumors that Elman Saragih, another member of the Media Group editorial board, has replaced Bang Andy’s position. Can anybody confirm this?

What’s Going On With the Point?

The English daily The Point has temporarily ceased its publication since mid last week. Our source said that the suspension may last for at least a month while the publisher discusses internal matters.

So, what is really happening with The Point? Will we see more of it anytime soon or should we say goodbye?

If anyone knows more info, please share.

Press Freedom in Doubt

Indo Pos reported on Monday, January 28th, 2008, that Aliansi Jurnalis Indonesia (AJI) is protesting against the decision by the President’s Press and Media Bureau for refusing to issue media passes to a number of journalists. The said the refusal might be because of articles written by the journalists who were denied the passes.

The Jakarta Post’s Abdul Khalik , for instance, was quoted as saying that he suspects he was denied a media pass because of his story about hotel payment mark ups during 2006 ASEAN Conference in Manila.

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Is CAKRAM having a tough start in 2008?

We have just heard the news that CAKRAM magazine has just laid-off five of its employees last Friday (01/25), including two of its editors.

Surprisingly, the management did not inform these employees about the layoff beforehand—and only told them about the decision on Friday without prior notice.

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Lativi’s New Name

Some of you might have heard the rumors that Lativi will soon change its name into TVOne. Talks on the issue have already started in a number of mailing lists and community blogs even as news about TVOne looking for presenters is circulating.

“It’s true,” said Karni Ilyas, former News, Sport, and Corporate Communications director of ANTV, last Friday. When we met over dinner at a Chinese restaurant at the JW Marriott Hotel, Pak Karni handed us his new business card, which read “TVOne News & Sport Director. “Lativi has even started to air more sport programs prior to the launching.”

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Michael Ferdin Ngge

Sad news came to our desk informing that our beloved friend, Michael Ferdin Ngge, assistant of chief editor for Investor Daily, passed away last night. We read the news in KOMPAS saying that

Our deepest condolence is addressed to his family, friends and colleagues. May you rest in peace and you’ll be greatly missed.