Duncan Graham

Duncan Graham has been a journalist for more than 40 years in print, radio and TV. He is the author of People Next Door (UWA Press). He is now writing for the English language media in Indonesia from within Indonesia. Duncan Graham has an MPhil degree, a Walkley Award, two Human Rights Commission awards and other prizes for his radio, TV and print journalism in Australia. He lives in East Java.

Duncan's recent articles

DUNCAN GRAHAM. Our failing media again-ignoring an election next door.

The World is a nightly news show on Australia Plus, our overseas TV showcase transmitted to 44 countries in Asia and the Pacific. The one-hour programme pulls together the days global issues, often adding lengthy interviews dissecting international developments.

DUNCAN GRAHAM. Praying is fine - Action is better.

Five guards and an inmate died in a Jakarta prison riot last week, allegedly launched by Islamic State. More than 150 terrorists are held at the overcrowded jail where turmoil erupted six months ago. Then early on Sunday church bombings in Surabaya, Indonesias second largest city, killed nine at the start of the Muslim fasting month. In March police said theyd smashed an Internet jihad group known as the Muslim Cyber Army. It was accused of spreading fake news to stir the gullible and destabilize upcoming elections. Where do the radicals recruit? At universities, according to Indonesia's...

DUNCAN GRAHAM. Finding ties that bind with Indonesia

In early April, NSW Governor David Hurley spoke about Indonesian-Australian relationships. Although largely ignored by the mainstream media his speech was not the usual white bread served by those elevated to positions supra-politics. Hurley launched some awkward statistics: * Thirteen percent of Australians see Indonesians as trustworthy. Switch that around and the figure is 53 percent . * Nineteen per cent of Australians say they have a good knowledge of Indonesia. The reverse is 43 percent. * Unfavourable perceptions of the people next door? Australians 47 percent, Indonesians just ten percent.

DUNCAN GRAHAM. Australia Plus unfit for export.

Though this starts like a fairy story its really a frightener: Once upon a time, Australian governments believed that broadcasting beyond our shores and particularly into Southeast Asia - was an important responsibility, sowing ideas, informing and influencing. Radio Australia shortwave started in 1939 to counter Japanese propaganda. After the war, it became a soft power diplomacy tool in the jargon of Foreign Affairs. It made us globally connected, able to promote Australian values. Now all has turned to froth. Seldom seen by taxpayers is our $20 million presentation to the world. Although called Australia Plus it...

DUNCAN GRAHAM Welcome Down Under, Mr President Widodo : An open letter

Later this week Indonesian leader Joko Jokowi Widodo is expected in Sydney with other heads of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations for a special summit. The President recently told his ambassadors that while working overseas they should lift their nations status as a great country. Now Jokowi can do his bit.

DUNCAN GRAHAM. Wheres Ozzie - down here or up there?

This month Foreign Minister Julie Bishop spoke at the Menzies Research Centre in London on Australias Foreign Policy White Paper published three months earlier. Her theme circled around getting rules-based order into Asia, just like Europe where she says nationalism has subsided. Dr Euan Graham (no relation), Director of the Lowy Institutes International Security Program, wrote in The Interpreter that the address was probably Bishops most important foreign policy speech since herFullerton lecture in Singapore (to the International Institute for Strategic Studies)last March. However, its inconsistencies whizzed past the media obsessed with the Barnaby Joyce affair, bewildering...

DUNCAN GRAHAM. Visit Down Under and pay up.

Indonesians will not be getting cheap and easy-to-obtain Australian visas available to Malaysians and Singaporeans. Australian campaigners seeking better access for Indonesian tourists have been officially told there will be no changes. This is despite the Republic giving Australians free visas-on-arrival and the Australian Government claiming it wants more Indonesian visitors.

DUNCAN GRAHAM. Wanted: The real refugee story

There should be no asylum seekers in offshore camps funded by Australia. Theyre getting food, healthcare and accommodation - even money. But the prolonged wait is inhumane and damaging. Impractical solutions and unbalanced reporting are compounding the problem.

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