Indonesian media framing of resource conflicts in Aceh and Papua.

The development of democracy in Indonesia after the end to Suharto’s regime succeeded in an improved freedom of the press, yet the continuing conflicts and secessionist movements in both Aceh and Papua escape the realm of everyday media that reaches Indonesian citizens. The conflicts in each territory are complex and originate from long-standing grievances against the Indonesian government. The conflicts in Aceh and Papua continue in part due to a maldistribution of the exported natural resources within the territories, and consequently contribute to furthering the secessionist causes. This paper seeks to answer how the Indonesian national media frames the conflicts in Aceh and Papua. This paper will examine the disparities in national and regional media coverage of the conflicts in Aceh and Papua. This paper contends that the disparity between the national and regional media’s coverage of these issue has contributed to prolonging the conflicts in Aceh and Papua. Next, this paper explores the selection of the resources, which contribute, to conflicts in the areas. Finally, this paper explores the contributions these factors play in the sustainability of secessionist groups in Aceh and Papua. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]