September/October Diversity Dilemma: No harm no foul? Diversity on a global scale… Bruce is British and works as a reporter for a large multi-national media network. He is sent to West Papua, part of Indonesia, to film a feature length story about an American reality television series currently shooting in this exotic location. Bruce is a seasoned journalist and his research reveals that the natives of West Papua are fighting for their independence against an occupation by the Indonesian army. He approaches his editor with an alternative story idea and his editor rejects it outright, telling Bruce to stick to the assignment; any mention of the unrest would be an insult to the Indonesian and U.S. governments, it would break the legal agreements that the network has made with both governments. When he arrives in Papua, Bruce is witness to a show of force by the well-armed Indonesian army against a Papuan resistance force armed only with bow and arrows. He is deeply disturbed and decides to interview leaders from both sides. An Indonesian officer tells Bruce that West Papua is rich in resources necessary for the health of the state, that, although it is regrettable, the modern world has overtaken the Papuans and they will eventually have to adapt and participate in the global economy. A Papuan elder conveyed that his ancestors had lived as he did for thousands of years and to maintain their way of life was not only his duty but his people's sacred commitment to their ancestors. They would certainly die before they would relinquish their way of life on the land. If you were Bruce, what story would you tell? Options: Option 1: Do the story about the reality television series as assigned recognizing there are forces in play that are much larger than your capacity to confront. No harm, no foul. Option 2: Tell a favorable story from the Indonesian officer's point of view: the story of the modern world colliding with the indigenous peoples ways and the inevitable changes that progress must bring. This story would not be threatening to agreements made by the governments and could possibly lead to some form of UN intervention or less bloody transition for the Papuans. Option 3: Tell the story from the Papuan's point of view, a story of brutal occupation and warn of the coming extinction of another indigenous culture. Knowing that this story will probably never be aired and you will, in all probability, lose your job and be sued, you still believe it is a small price to pay if you can help the plight of the Papuan's. Option 4: Do the story as assigned and also shoot additional footage of the both the Indonesian and Papuan points of view in the hope that there is a way to tell the story that does justice to both sides, a story that the editor will approve. Option 5. Other: Results Top Choice: Option 4 - An overwhelming majority (85% or 28 respondents) thought that Bruce should do the story as assigned and also shoot additional footage of the both the Indonesian and Papuan points of view in the hope that there is a way to tell the story that does justice to both sides, a story that the editor will approve. Second Choice: Option 5 - A small number of respondents (9% or 3 respondents) chose other and provided their own responses as shown below. "(I would choose a) variation of option 4. First, do the assigned story (it's my job, I agreed to do it and am being compensated); secondly, shoot additional footage telling BOTH sides -- objective, fact based, no biases, no judgment. Offer the footage to my editor and lobby for story development. If my efforts are refused, shop the story idea to other news outlets, including web-based media -- even offering for free in order to get the message out." "Do the story of the struggle, representing both sides of the struggle and let people decide for themselves. Isn't that what journalism is all about?" "Do the story, but at the same time create a documentary about the conflict. Use the money from the story to help fund the cause. Create a website and get publicity much like invisible children or love146" Third Choice: Option 2/Option 3 - Both option 2 and option 3 had 1 respondent each who thought Bruce should either tell a favorable story from the Indonesian officer's point of view OR they thought Bruce should tell the story from the Papuan's point of view, a story of brutal occupation and warn of the coming extinction of another indigenous culture, even knowing that this story will probably never be aired and he will, in all probability, lose his job and be sued. No one chose option 1 where Bruce would do the story about the reality television series as assigned recognizing there are forces in play that are much larger than your capacity to confront. A total of 33 people responded to the November/December Diversity Dilemma on DiversityCentral.com Take our newest dilemma. Read more: View the results of Sep/Oct 2008 Dilemma, So, which race are you? View the results of Jul/Aug 2008 Dilemma, Would You Switch Parties to Rise in the Ranks? View the results of May/Jun 2008 Dilemma, Hiring A Muslin Too Risky? View the results of Jan/Feb 2008 Dilemma, A Promotion — is it because of Affirmative Action? View the results of Sep/Oct 2007 Dilemma, Pierced nose? Wild clothes? What to do with a productive "punk?" View the results of Jul/Aug 2007 Dilemma, What would you do in the face of an unclear law? back to top

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