Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Jayapura (Agenzia Fides) - People in Indonesian Papua - also called Irian Jaya province in the far east of the Indonesian archipelago- are welcoming the opening of a new means of communication, a local radio station. In an area covered almost entirely by rain forest inhabited by indigenous tribes in small villages and settlements- with no basic infrastructures such as roads, water supplies, electricity, telephone lines- a radio is something new, a means connecting with the outside world to use new technology. The radio will circulate news and break the isolation in this remote part of the world. The independent radio station Newsroom 68H connected with the Independent Radio Network, will have professionally trained local staff.
In recent months civil authorities and the people themselves were sceptical that a radio could be started in Papua, a region rich in natural resources but still totally undeveloped. But the project succeeded. A fundamental problem was electricity and this was solved with the construction of a small hydroelectric power plant to provide the radio with necessary electricity. The energy produced will also serve a school, a church and many homes in the area. As many as two thousand people gathered to take part in a banquet to celebrate the event.
For years the central highland area has been the scene of fighting between the Indonesian army and separatist movements. The people accuse the police of violating human rights, extra-judicial killings and torture. The new radio plans to defend human rights and dignity and to promote development. Papua has a population 80% protestant, 15% Catholic and small groups of Muslims and Animists. The local Church has welcomed the new radio and hopes it will promote reconciliation, respect for human rights and development. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 27/9/2007 righe 26 parole 259)
