Janet Steele is a Professor of Media and Public Affairs and International Affairs at the George Washington University. She received her Ph.D. in History from the Johns Hopkins University, and is especially interested in how culture is communicated through the mass media. The author of numerous articles on journalism theory and practice and a frequent visitor to Southeast Asia, her latest book is Mediating Islam: Cosmopolitan Journalisms in Muslim Southeast Asia (University of Washington Press).
Dari Wars Within, versi bahasa Indonesia. Diterjemahkan oleh Arif Zulkifli. Untuk Pak Amarzan L... more Dari Wars Within, versi bahasa Indonesia. Diterjemahkan oleh Arif Zulkifli. Untuk Pak Amarzan Loebis.
In the vibrant media environment of Indonesia, Aceh poses a unique set of problems. What is the r... more In the vibrant media environment of Indonesia, Aceh poses a unique set of problems. What is the relationship between journalism and Islamic criminal law? After the implementation of new regional regulations in 2006 that permit local authorities to enforce Islamic criminal bylaws (qanun jinayat), journalists in Aceh have struggled to reconcile the arguably universal principles of journalism with the particular obligations of their faith.
The 2012 suicide of 16-year-old Putri Erlina threw these concerns into sharp relief. When Prohaba newspaper labeled Putri a “whore” after her arrest by the Wilayatul Hisbah (shari‛a police), the Aceh chapter of the Alliance of Independent Journalists called a press conference to criticize the paper for violating the 2006 Journalistic Code of Ethics. Although the Indonesian Press Council agreed with AJI, the newspaper’s owners sued AJI for defamation, claiming that it had falsely blamed the paper for Putri’s suicide. The case was eventually settled out of court, but bad feelings remained, and resulted in the creation of KWPSI, the “Caucus of Journalists who defend Islamic Shari‛a.”
This case suggests that divisions within the journalists’ community reflect a larger controversy within the public sphere. Just who should regulate the work of journalists? Was the Prohaba dispute really about defending shari‛a, or rather about siding with government authorities and defending the reputation of Aceh’s biggest and most powerful newspaper company? Differing views of the relationship between journalism and Islam are apparent in the competing ethical standards that have emerged in these and other debates over reporting on the implementation of Islamic criminal bylaws in Aceh.
... In defence of their actions, they cited the direct order of Indonesian Attorney General Abdul... more ... In defence of their actions, they cited the direct order of Indonesian Attorney General Abdul Rahman Saleh that forbade the circulation of ... Three of the more noteworthy are Hendrik Maier's analysis of the complex ways in which Malay languages embody temporal reality, Anthony ...
There are 18 Islamic universities and institutes in Indonesia, and each offers some sort of journ... more There are 18 Islamic universities and institutes in Indonesia, and each offers some sort of journalism education. These courses are not located in the social sciences, but rather in schools of dakwah, where they are seen as key elements of Islamic propagation. This article focuses on three aspects of journalism education in Islamic Indonesia: the vision and mission of dakwah, the curriculum and course content, and what happens to students upon graduation. It concludes with thoughts on the similarities and differences with what has been called “prophetic journalism” in the United States and a discussion of the overall goals of journalism in an Islamic context.
In the United States, when journalists or legal scholars use the term " trial by the press, " it ... more In the United States, when journalists or legal scholars use the term " trial by the press, " it is usually in the context of pretrial publicity, and the First Amendment right to freedom of expression versus the Sixth Amendment right to a fair trial. Although this understanding of the term exists in Indonesia and Malaysia, there it is also used in a variety of other ways that are related to the teachings of Islam and the legacy of authoritarianism. Islam contains strict prohibitions against gossip, libel, and other forms of defamation. For those who are uncomfortable with what they see as the excesses of press freedom, " trial by the press, " or the idea that the press should not " judge " someone until the facts have been proven in a court of law strongly resembles the Islamic injunctions against fitnah (slander) and gossip. The question of when a Muslim journalist can properly divulge something negative about someone else has implications not only for the popular understanding of libel and defamation but also for investigative reporting. Because the accusation of " trial by the press " resonates with deeply held Islamic principles, it can be an exceptionally powerful political tool.
As the Global War on Terror has prompted new interest in Islam in Southeast Asia, western governm... more As the Global War on Terror has prompted new interest in Islam in Southeast Asia, western governments have scrambled to engage with Muslim journalists in Indonesia and Malaysia. Despite this attention, surprisingly little is known about how journalists in these two majority Muslim countries actually think about the work they do. This article draws on a series of semi-structured interviews with elite journalists in Jakarta, Surabaya, and Kuala Lumpur to provide some preliminary explorations of the relationship between Islam and journalism in Southeast Asia. It argues that Muslim journalists in both Indonesia and Malaysia express the universal values of journalism, but do so within an Islamic idiom. It concludes with a discussion of justice as the overarching ideology of journalism in Islam, and a comment on how western diplomats might use the language of Islam to reach out to journalists in these two majority Muslim countries.
... As author Randy Shilts has concluded, these exclusions were “initially written as an enlighte... more ... As author Randy Shilts has concluded, these exclusions were “initially written as an enlightened and even compassionate treatment of homosexuality ... and narrative qualities of news, highlighting the way events are turned into news stories (Carey, 1975; Darnton, 1975; Schudson ...
Suara Timor Timur, or STT as it was called, was East Timor’s one and only daily newspaper during ... more Suara Timor Timur, or STT as it was called, was East Timor’s one and only daily newspaper during the Indonesian occupation. Although the paper was owned by Salvador Soares, a Timorese politician and supporter of integration with Indonesia, the paper was remarkably independent. Textual analysis of approximately 200 editions of the newspaper, as well as interviews with numerous Timorese journalists and human rights activists, suggest that STT often presented versions of events that subtly undermined the Indonesian government’s view. A content analysis of page-one stories from the period after Indonesian President B.J. Habibie announced the referendum on a proposal for wide-ranging autonomy, shows that STT was carefully balanced in its coverage in the days leading up to the August 1999 vote. A number of factors contributed to this independence, including the desire of owner Salvador Soares to publish a quality newspaper, the skill of young Timorese journalists at writing stories with a “hidden message,” and the moral imperatives of journalism itself. I argue that despite the pro-Indonesia view of its founder, Suara Timor Timur played a critical role in East Timor under Indonesian rule, giving voice to Timorese national aspirations.
For the 23 years prior to its banning on June 21, 1994, Tempo magazine was Indonesia's most impor... more For the 23 years prior to its banning on June 21, 1994, Tempo magazine was Indonesia's most important news weekly, and its chief editor, Goenawan Mohamad, one of Indonesia's leading poets and intellectuals. Yet despite its influence, the history of Tempo magazine is not widely known. All aspects of Tempo's history, including its roots in the literary and cultural milieu of the 1960s, its economic organization and management, its internal culture and system of deciding what's news, and its strategies for survival within a repressive press system, provide a window into the political and cultural history of Indonesia's New Order. Tempo occupied an ambiguous position in Indonesia's New Order, and Wars Within: The Story of Tempo, an Independent Magazine in Soeharto's Indonesia explores these contradictions and paradoxes. Clearly a product of the New Order, Tempo nevertheless presented independent points of view, often at considerable risk. Soeharto's government was never monolithic, and the story of how Tempo managed to survive 23 years of autocratic rule sheds light on the culture and politics of modern Indonesia. It also sheds light on broader questions concerning the role of the press in developing countries -- and on the kinds of negotiation that must go on for an essentially democratic institution to exist in an authoritarian space.
Written in a narrative style, Wars Within utilizes a variety of methods and sources, including participant observation, a content analysis of Tempo's National section, close reading of Tempo's coverage of key episodes including the 1984 incident at Tanjung Priok, previously unpublished archival materials, and over one hundred interviews with the magazine's founders, writers, and contributors. Wars Within is an ideal supplemental text in courses on Southeast Asian history, politics, and culture, as well as in courses on international communication and media studies.
Dari Wars Within, versi bahasa Indonesia. Diterjemahkan oleh Arif Zulkifli. Untuk Pak Amarzan L... more Dari Wars Within, versi bahasa Indonesia. Diterjemahkan oleh Arif Zulkifli. Untuk Pak Amarzan Loebis.
In the vibrant media environment of Indonesia, Aceh poses a unique set of problems. What is the r... more In the vibrant media environment of Indonesia, Aceh poses a unique set of problems. What is the relationship between journalism and Islamic criminal law? After the implementation of new regional regulations in 2006 that permit local authorities to enforce Islamic criminal bylaws (qanun jinayat), journalists in Aceh have struggled to reconcile the arguably universal principles of journalism with the particular obligations of their faith.
The 2012 suicide of 16-year-old Putri Erlina threw these concerns into sharp relief. When Prohaba newspaper labeled Putri a “whore” after her arrest by the Wilayatul Hisbah (shari‛a police), the Aceh chapter of the Alliance of Independent Journalists called a press conference to criticize the paper for violating the 2006 Journalistic Code of Ethics. Although the Indonesian Press Council agreed with AJI, the newspaper’s owners sued AJI for defamation, claiming that it had falsely blamed the paper for Putri’s suicide. The case was eventually settled out of court, but bad feelings remained, and resulted in the creation of KWPSI, the “Caucus of Journalists who defend Islamic Shari‛a.”
This case suggests that divisions within the journalists’ community reflect a larger controversy within the public sphere. Just who should regulate the work of journalists? Was the Prohaba dispute really about defending shari‛a, or rather about siding with government authorities and defending the reputation of Aceh’s biggest and most powerful newspaper company? Differing views of the relationship between journalism and Islam are apparent in the competing ethical standards that have emerged in these and other debates over reporting on the implementation of Islamic criminal bylaws in Aceh.
... In defence of their actions, they cited the direct order of Indonesian Attorney General Abdul... more ... In defence of their actions, they cited the direct order of Indonesian Attorney General Abdul Rahman Saleh that forbade the circulation of ... Three of the more noteworthy are Hendrik Maier's analysis of the complex ways in which Malay languages embody temporal reality, Anthony ...
There are 18 Islamic universities and institutes in Indonesia, and each offers some sort of journ... more There are 18 Islamic universities and institutes in Indonesia, and each offers some sort of journalism education. These courses are not located in the social sciences, but rather in schools of dakwah, where they are seen as key elements of Islamic propagation. This article focuses on three aspects of journalism education in Islamic Indonesia: the vision and mission of dakwah, the curriculum and course content, and what happens to students upon graduation. It concludes with thoughts on the similarities and differences with what has been called “prophetic journalism” in the United States and a discussion of the overall goals of journalism in an Islamic context.
In the United States, when journalists or legal scholars use the term " trial by the press, " it ... more In the United States, when journalists or legal scholars use the term " trial by the press, " it is usually in the context of pretrial publicity, and the First Amendment right to freedom of expression versus the Sixth Amendment right to a fair trial. Although this understanding of the term exists in Indonesia and Malaysia, there it is also used in a variety of other ways that are related to the teachings of Islam and the legacy of authoritarianism. Islam contains strict prohibitions against gossip, libel, and other forms of defamation. For those who are uncomfortable with what they see as the excesses of press freedom, " trial by the press, " or the idea that the press should not " judge " someone until the facts have been proven in a court of law strongly resembles the Islamic injunctions against fitnah (slander) and gossip. The question of when a Muslim journalist can properly divulge something negative about someone else has implications not only for the popular understanding of libel and defamation but also for investigative reporting. Because the accusation of " trial by the press " resonates with deeply held Islamic principles, it can be an exceptionally powerful political tool.
As the Global War on Terror has prompted new interest in Islam in Southeast Asia, western governm... more As the Global War on Terror has prompted new interest in Islam in Southeast Asia, western governments have scrambled to engage with Muslim journalists in Indonesia and Malaysia. Despite this attention, surprisingly little is known about how journalists in these two majority Muslim countries actually think about the work they do. This article draws on a series of semi-structured interviews with elite journalists in Jakarta, Surabaya, and Kuala Lumpur to provide some preliminary explorations of the relationship between Islam and journalism in Southeast Asia. It argues that Muslim journalists in both Indonesia and Malaysia express the universal values of journalism, but do so within an Islamic idiom. It concludes with a discussion of justice as the overarching ideology of journalism in Islam, and a comment on how western diplomats might use the language of Islam to reach out to journalists in these two majority Muslim countries.
... As author Randy Shilts has concluded, these exclusions were “initially written as an enlighte... more ... As author Randy Shilts has concluded, these exclusions were “initially written as an enlightened and even compassionate treatment of homosexuality ... and narrative qualities of news, highlighting the way events are turned into news stories (Carey, 1975; Darnton, 1975; Schudson ...
Suara Timor Timur, or STT as it was called, was East Timor’s one and only daily newspaper during ... more Suara Timor Timur, or STT as it was called, was East Timor’s one and only daily newspaper during the Indonesian occupation. Although the paper was owned by Salvador Soares, a Timorese politician and supporter of integration with Indonesia, the paper was remarkably independent. Textual analysis of approximately 200 editions of the newspaper, as well as interviews with numerous Timorese journalists and human rights activists, suggest that STT often presented versions of events that subtly undermined the Indonesian government’s view. A content analysis of page-one stories from the period after Indonesian President B.J. Habibie announced the referendum on a proposal for wide-ranging autonomy, shows that STT was carefully balanced in its coverage in the days leading up to the August 1999 vote. A number of factors contributed to this independence, including the desire of owner Salvador Soares to publish a quality newspaper, the skill of young Timorese journalists at writing stories with a “hidden message,” and the moral imperatives of journalism itself. I argue that despite the pro-Indonesia view of its founder, Suara Timor Timur played a critical role in East Timor under Indonesian rule, giving voice to Timorese national aspirations.
For the 23 years prior to its banning on June 21, 1994, Tempo magazine was Indonesia's most impor... more For the 23 years prior to its banning on June 21, 1994, Tempo magazine was Indonesia's most important news weekly, and its chief editor, Goenawan Mohamad, one of Indonesia's leading poets and intellectuals. Yet despite its influence, the history of Tempo magazine is not widely known. All aspects of Tempo's history, including its roots in the literary and cultural milieu of the 1960s, its economic organization and management, its internal culture and system of deciding what's news, and its strategies for survival within a repressive press system, provide a window into the political and cultural history of Indonesia's New Order. Tempo occupied an ambiguous position in Indonesia's New Order, and Wars Within: The Story of Tempo, an Independent Magazine in Soeharto's Indonesia explores these contradictions and paradoxes. Clearly a product of the New Order, Tempo nevertheless presented independent points of view, often at considerable risk. Soeharto's government was never monolithic, and the story of how Tempo managed to survive 23 years of autocratic rule sheds light on the culture and politics of modern Indonesia. It also sheds light on broader questions concerning the role of the press in developing countries -- and on the kinds of negotiation that must go on for an essentially democratic institution to exist in an authoritarian space.
Written in a narrative style, Wars Within utilizes a variety of methods and sources, including participant observation, a content analysis of Tempo's National section, close reading of Tempo's coverage of key episodes including the 1984 incident at Tanjung Priok, previously unpublished archival materials, and over one hundred interviews with the magazine's founders, writers, and contributors. Wars Within is an ideal supplemental text in courses on Southeast Asian history, politics, and culture, as well as in courses on international communication and media studies.
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Papers by Janet Steele
The 2012 suicide of 16-year-old Putri Erlina threw these concerns into sharp relief. When Prohaba newspaper labeled Putri a “whore” after her arrest by the Wilayatul Hisbah (shari‛a police), the Aceh chapter of the Alliance of Independent Journalists called a press conference to criticize the paper for violating the 2006 Journalistic Code of Ethics. Although the Indonesian Press Council agreed with AJI, the newspaper’s owners sued AJI for defamation, claiming that it had falsely blamed the paper for Putri’s suicide. The case was eventually settled out of court, but bad feelings remained, and resulted in the creation of KWPSI, the “Caucus of Journalists who defend Islamic Shari‛a.”
This case suggests that divisions within the journalists’ community reflect a larger controversy within the public sphere. Just who should regulate the work of journalists? Was the Prohaba dispute really about defending shari‛a, or rather about siding with government authorities and defending the reputation of Aceh’s biggest and most powerful newspaper company? Differing views of the relationship between journalism and Islam are apparent in the competing ethical standards that have emerged in these and other debates over reporting on the implementation of Islamic criminal bylaws in Aceh.
Books by Janet Steele
Tempo occupied an ambiguous position in Indonesia's New Order, and Wars Within: The Story of Tempo, an Independent Magazine in Soeharto's Indonesia explores these contradictions and paradoxes. Clearly a product of the New Order, Tempo nevertheless presented independent points of view, often at considerable risk. Soeharto's government was never monolithic, and the story of how Tempo managed to survive 23 years of autocratic rule sheds light on the culture and politics of modern Indonesia. It also sheds light on broader questions concerning the role of the press in developing countries -- and on the kinds of negotiation that must go on for an essentially democratic institution to exist in an authoritarian space.
Written in a narrative style, Wars Within utilizes a variety of methods and sources, including participant observation, a content analysis of Tempo's National section, close reading of Tempo's coverage of key episodes including the 1984 incident at Tanjung Priok, previously unpublished archival materials, and over one hundred interviews with the magazine's founders, writers, and contributors. Wars Within is an ideal supplemental text in courses on Southeast Asian history, politics, and culture, as well as in courses on international communication and media studies.
The 2012 suicide of 16-year-old Putri Erlina threw these concerns into sharp relief. When Prohaba newspaper labeled Putri a “whore” after her arrest by the Wilayatul Hisbah (shari‛a police), the Aceh chapter of the Alliance of Independent Journalists called a press conference to criticize the paper for violating the 2006 Journalistic Code of Ethics. Although the Indonesian Press Council agreed with AJI, the newspaper’s owners sued AJI for defamation, claiming that it had falsely blamed the paper for Putri’s suicide. The case was eventually settled out of court, but bad feelings remained, and resulted in the creation of KWPSI, the “Caucus of Journalists who defend Islamic Shari‛a.”
This case suggests that divisions within the journalists’ community reflect a larger controversy within the public sphere. Just who should regulate the work of journalists? Was the Prohaba dispute really about defending shari‛a, or rather about siding with government authorities and defending the reputation of Aceh’s biggest and most powerful newspaper company? Differing views of the relationship between journalism and Islam are apparent in the competing ethical standards that have emerged in these and other debates over reporting on the implementation of Islamic criminal bylaws in Aceh.
Tempo occupied an ambiguous position in Indonesia's New Order, and Wars Within: The Story of Tempo, an Independent Magazine in Soeharto's Indonesia explores these contradictions and paradoxes. Clearly a product of the New Order, Tempo nevertheless presented independent points of view, often at considerable risk. Soeharto's government was never monolithic, and the story of how Tempo managed to survive 23 years of autocratic rule sheds light on the culture and politics of modern Indonesia. It also sheds light on broader questions concerning the role of the press in developing countries -- and on the kinds of negotiation that must go on for an essentially democratic institution to exist in an authoritarian space.
Written in a narrative style, Wars Within utilizes a variety of methods and sources, including participant observation, a content analysis of Tempo's National section, close reading of Tempo's coverage of key episodes including the 1984 incident at Tanjung Priok, previously unpublished archival materials, and over one hundred interviews with the magazine's founders, writers, and contributors. Wars Within is an ideal supplemental text in courses on Southeast Asian history, politics, and culture, as well as in courses on international communication and media studies.