A panel discussed the significance of the tragic events of 1975 and its aftermath today in Helsinki during the IPI special presentation on the making of the new film "Balibo."
First, some historical background should help us put the film and the panel discussion in context. A Wikipedia article on the Balibo Five explains:
The Balibo Five was a group of journalists for Australian television networks who were based in the town of Balibo in East Timor (then Portuguese Timor) who were killed on 16 October 1975 by Indonesian troops mounting incursions, prior to the Indonesian invasion on 7 December that year.The article continues:
The panel agenda read:The group was made up of two Australians, reporter Greg Shackleton, 27, and sound recordist Tony Stewart, 21, and a New Zealander, cameraman Gary Cunningham, 27, for HSV-7 (Seven Network) in Melbourne, and two Britons, cameraman Brian Peters, 29, and reporter Malcolm Rennie, 28, working for TCN-9 (Nine Network) in Sydney.
While the men were aware that Indonesian troops were to mount an attack on the town, they believed that as Australian journalists, they would not be considered military targets. . . . The Indonesian military justified its killing of the camera crews on the grounds that they were 'communists', and sympathizers with the FRETILIN party in Portuguese Timor; however most historians think they were killed to prevent them exposing the Indonesian incursions. The men's remains were taken to Jakarta for burial, without the consent of their families.
The level of prior knowledge within the Australian government of Indonesian plans to attack Balibo and target journalists to prevent Indonesian military involvement being demonstrated is debated.
Introduction of the Australian feature film "Balibo", scheduled for release in July 2009. “Balibo” recreates events surrounding the shooting of five journalists for Australian TV networks – Gary Cunningham, Brian Peters, Malcolm Rennie, Greg Shackleton and Tony Stewart – during the Indonesian invasion of East Timor in 1975.Also, by way of background, this short video on the "the making of Balibo" highlights the historical significance of this new Australian film -- to be released in August 2009:
- Robert Connolly, Director of “Balibo”
- Damon Gameau, Actor
- Maureen Tolfree, Sister of Brian Peters
- Kerry Skyring (Moderator), Editor, "Reality Check", Radio FM4, Vienna
- Sue Andel-Spence, Malcolm Rennie’s cousin
- Margaret Wilson, Malcolm Rennie’s cousin
Here are some of the points raised during the panel discussion and following Q and A at the panel discussion at the IPI Congress in Helsinki today:
Robert Connolly: "The Queeen" -- about Tony Blair and the Queen was a model I looked to. Similarly, this film is an exploration of dramatic discussion between two figures. One man, the president of Indonesia, and Roger East. The film involved a lot of speculation about what was really happening between them.
Damon Gameau, the actor who played Greg Shackleton -- one of the Australian journalists who was killed -- talked about how he prepared himself emotionally for the role.
Maureen Tolfree: the UK government called me a "neurotic woman" for raising the issue of her brother's murder. I had accused the Australian government of not paying attention.
Irene Gillan spoke of the emotion.
Robert Connolly: we went to a 500 year old fort where the five journalists had stood.
Film clip.
Robert Connolly: The population of East Timor is 600,000. One hundred thousand died in the Invasion of Indonesia. These men were placed in an opportunity to film pictures that could have stopped or delayed the Indonesian invasion. The men made a courageous decision that day to stay.
Kerry Skyring, Moderator: Any insights into their character, what made them stay?
Sue Andel-Spence: They saw it as a calling, and they knew what they were there to get.
Maureen Tolfree: Australian government has said nothing about them.
Kerry Skyring: Questions, when to leave? The importance of justice? Let's open that up.
Question from Pakistan journalist: Subsequent to 1975 there have been Timorese journalists killed.
Audience member responds: In 1999 a Timorese and FT journalist killed then, but ad-hoc tribunal came to limited conclusion. In 2007 an inquiry handed down with its finding. Tell us about that please.
Maureen Tolfree: The government claims we family members have been having an argument about the repatriation of the remains, but we were not and are not having such an argument.
Margaret Wilson: We all understand 2 separate issues. Repatriation and inquiry. Decision to bury them in Indonesia seemed an excuse to keep the issue quiet.
Sue Andel-Spence: The findings of inquiry have been approved. Opened door to inquiry.
Question: What do you want?
The Indonesian officer who killed the journalists is -- I think -- still in power. And I want appology from Australian government.
Sue Andel-Spence: Not resting for the families. To think your own country, despite many meetings, the British government refers it to the Australian government. They worked for an Australian TV firm, etc. Seeing the Australian government takes no action, we think the UK government should act. This whole run-around -- this lack of concern -- endangers any journalist trying to do a dangerous job.
Robert Connolly: The murder of journalists is the murder of truth. On this 10th anniversary of East Timor, the film ends by celebrating it.
Kerry Skyring: By showing support for the Indonesians -- he crossed a line. This passion may have related to his decision to stay. Comments?
Robert Connolly: At what point does the subject matter consume you emotionally? Any comments from journalists?
Dalton: I think it should be pointed out that war hadn't yet started when they were killed.
Simon Lee, LA Times: I have faced decisions about sending people into conflict zones. I'm wondering about the instructions or guidance the 5 journalists had who remained in the village?
Kerry Skyring: Australian tv journalism was in its infancy back then.
Robert Connolly: We did question whether the fact there were 2 networks there, did this competitive spirit make a pull out difficult?
Dalton: They were doing their job as professionals. Because these 6 men died the story stayed in the news.
Robert Connolly: The silence of the Australian government in the aftermath was appaling. We need to treat this -- the murder of any journalists anywhere -- as a war crime.
Question: Wish we had an Indonesian journalist here. How has it impacted journalism in Indonesia?
Audience member: I covered events that had been the subject of Missing. Last night I interviewed xx of Novaya Gazetta about his dream. Having lost four journalists, he said his dream was to keep his journalists alive.
Sue Andel-Spence: It's an opportunity to make some waves.
Margaret Wilson: More productive to go straight to the Australians. Now we are communicating directly with the Australian government.
Question from S Africa journalist: Wondering whether something more proactive could have been done. To approach the international rappator, in order to brinng it home to protect journalists. Two fold: bring about some justice, also long term objective to get the journalists with some form of protection. My view is that this should go to the United Nations.
Robert Connolly: IPI took a stand back in 1976, and have followed through ever since. Thank you IPI.
Jotman live-blogged the following panel discussions at the IPI World Congress:
