"Background of this research is the interest to journalist's rampant attitude by tolerating "thank you envelope" where the often poorly-paid reporter is passed an envelope of money after an interview or media conference in exchange for for favorable coverage. Whilst Jumalist Ethical Code of Pers Council (Dewan Pers, Pasal 6) is strickly prohibit journalist for receaving money from sources. This attitude could cause a very serious problem to our democracy. Inspite of playing their role as the fourth pilar of democracy, journalist-with this attitude shift to be the fourth parasites to democracy together with corruption, colution and nepotism.
Mass media companies contribute to this situation by tolerating their journalist to receive money from their source. Only view mass media companies punish their journalist who is found to receive money from their source.
This case study is using qualitative approach in data gathering and analyzing methode. Data is collected mainly by conducting structural, non-structural and indepth interviews to subjects of research, who are categorized as follow: 1. journalist of 4 (four) different mass media; 2.. officer in one of state insitution"X", and; 3. staff from different sections on the institution. Subject of interview are limited to journalist, the member and staffs in state institution "X° during March to May 2006. supporting data is gathered through observation to the relation between subjects around the house during first semester of the year 2006.
Result of the study, at first, gives a background picture of the rampant attitude among journalist. The picture is about a complexity of journalist life, like the low payment they received from their mass media company, the mass media bussines competion which in turn put mass media companies to fight against each other to gain income from advertisement and lose application of journalist ethical code. These three factors have put journalist in situations to "innovate" their strategy in survival or increasing their wealth.
From this study, also found a patern of systemic interactions, which involves journalist and promoter for state institution "X". in most case, they give service in popularity promotion for individual the member of state institution "X", news brokers or provide
Public service relation" for the sections of state institution °X", information seller to the member of state institution °X" and even black mailing. This situation should be a signal for mass media companies to increase salary for their journalists. Discourse for increasing salary fot journalist to Rp. 3 millions at least which is introduced by AJI (aliansi Jurnalis Independen), should be appreciated by mass media companies. At the same time, ethic code should also be conducted strictly.
A progressive action could be taken by Pers Council (Dewan Pers) - if willing to do so - is to name to public mass media and journalist who tolerate money from source. If mass media had contribute to democracy in this country by publishing black/dirty politiciants, it should also be possible and fair to compaign against mass media companies by publishing names of mass media companies who tolerate money from sources."
