Minister Rudiantara Extends Apology to Journalists
30 November -0001 00:00 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Bandung - Communication and Information Affairs Minister Rudiantara extended an apology to reporters for not being able to facilitate them to cover the 60th Asia-Africa Conference in Bandung on Friday, April 24, 2015. The large number of reporters covering the event and the lack of space and time had caused the AAC committee to limit the number of reporters.
"It's not that we don't want to provide space for the media. But the venue [of the AAC] makes it impossible," Rudiantara told Tempo when observing the 60th AAC commemorative summit at Hotel Ibis, Bandung on Friday, April 24, 2015.
Based on Tempo's observation at 05:30am Western Indonesia Time, reporters had gathered at the media center located at the fifth floor of Hotel Ibis to obtain special ID cards required for the coverage. The ID card served as a pass to cover the AAC historical walk, speeches delivered by the AAC delegations, Friday prayers at the Great Mosque and lunch at West Java Governor residence at Pakuan Building.
However, many reporters were not able to obtain the ID card and decided to leave the venue with disappointment. Other reporters witnessed the AAC summit through a display installed at sevreal media centers, including at Hotel Ibis, Majestic and PGN building.
"We provide five spots for reporters, but they are limited to 35 reporters," Rudiantara said.
A total of 1,175 reporters were registered to cover the AAC summit. Based on the internet use, Rudiantara added, about 1,400 reporters, including 400 foreign journalists, covered the event.
AMINUDIN
