In this episode, we have a special interview with award-winning freelance investigative journalist and all-around badass female in the world of Indonesian journalism, Febriana Firdaus. We talk about her unique journey from TEMPO to TIME — including pit stops at Femina, Intisari, and Rappler — and her commitment to covering difficult and dangerous stories, particularly the ongoing human rights abuses happening in Papua right now.
We discuss the history of the conflict between Papuan freedom fighters and the Indonesian military, including Febri’s first-hand experience talking to locals and the situation on the ground right now. We also talk about Febri’s latest venture, the podcast-and-newsletter Suara Papua, or Voice of Papua, which aims to spread awareness of local Papuan stories between foreign English readers as well as Indonesians & local Papuans who care about what’s happening to the Papuan community.
Thanks for listening!
For those interested in learning more about the topic, we’ve provided links to resources as well as other recommended readings.
‘A Tragic, Forgotten Place.’ Poverty and Death in Indonesia’s Land of Gold — Febri’s piece for TIME Asia
ISIS Unveiled: The Story Behind Indonesia’s First Female Suicide Bomber — Febri interviewed DIan Yulia for this piece
West Papua: A history of exploitation — courtesy of Al Jazeera
A Slow-Motion Genocide: Indonesian Rule in West Papua — courtesy of the Free West Papua Campaign
Indonesia’s Abuses in Papua Prompt Call for UN Probe — courtesy of Human Rights Watch
Free Papua Movement — Wikipedia explaining the organization fighting for Papuan independence
Voice of Papua Newsletter — the English newsletter of Suara Papua
West Papua independence petition is rebuffed at UN — courtesy of The Guardian
MUSIC CREDITS:
KEEP IT TIGHT by JOHN DELEY
CURIOSITY by LEE ROSEVERE
THE GREAT by BROKE FOR FREE