Things happen and they do so not in black and white. There are reasons and counter reasons as to why things happen that will be unveiled only by time and careful investigations. Some things can be disputed. Were police and military provoked into using force by rowdy football fans? There was certainly some provocation, if... Continue Reading →
Why Bjorka should worry the Government
The danger of hacker Bjorka to the Government lies not in the information he purportedly hacked and leaked. The danger comes from the reaction of Indonesian netizens to any news or posts about Bjorka’s antics. Bjorka Check out Twitter and other social media news feeds and typical reactions are support for Bjorka and criticism of... Continue Reading →
Tone deaf, in a very black and white way
Comments that in most societies would leave the audience aghast get a laugh and applause in Indonesia. Even when a member of the audience is the President of Indonesia himself. PDIP Matriach Megawati, when addressing her party’s convention first took issue with Tukang Bakso (meatball vendors). She said she told her daughter Puan not to... Continue Reading →
Is Indonesia extending or abolishing COVID movement restrictions?
Indonesia is lifting all movement restrictions related to COVID/Indonesia is extending movement restrictions related to COVID. Which of these stories from the same news outlet is true? This: Or this:
Who can speak for the G20 spokesperson?
What qualities, skills and experience do you need to be an effective spokesperson? For chair of the G20 Summit Indonesia all that's needed to become the spokesperson for this prestigious event is evidently looks, youth, pop iconicity and privileged education. Credit: Facebook The appointee, 27-year old Maudy Ayunda has a plenty in the looks department... Continue Reading →
Who’s really responsible for the trashing of Ade Armando?
OK, let's get this out of the way: Unspun believes that voilence in retaliation for words is almost always not justified. Having said that, I cannot help but to think that Ade Armando and the society that has elevated him into a public icon of sorts has brought the violence upon themselves. Armando is of... Continue Reading →
When everyone sounds sassy and is an expert
Remember that iconic cartoon from the early days of the Internet in the New Yorker? The Internet has moved on a lot since then. Apps and other services now make it so much easier to create and upload great looking content. So much so that I think the saying “On the Internet, nobody knows you’re... Continue Reading →
Startups and their irresistible offers to our employees
If, like me, you run a small to mid-sized business then I’m sure you’d empathize when I say that the startups are the bane of our lives when it comes to staff retention. Like voracious vultures their HR officers and talent scouts circle our businesses for any of our staff who show promise. When they... Continue Reading →
Helping out journalists when they need it
What I wrote in the Maverick blog today. Journalists are getting Covid and this causes many of them financial difficulties. Many companies expect their help in publicising their messages in good times. Now when times are tough, they need out help https://maverick.co.id/uncategorized/plight-of-the-information-front-liners/
Mining for trouble
This is a post I wrote for our company's blog Those who have an interest in media handling skills would find this interview — between the BBC’s Rebecca Henschke and Terry Filbert, the CEO of Baru Gold Corp that runs Tambang Mas Sangihe — a masterclass on what and how not to say things. The... Continue Reading →
Was Naomi Osaka professional in not wanting to take press conferences?
As someone who trains the C-Suite on Media Handling Skills, what we in the PR profession sometimes shorten to Media Training, I can empathise with Naomi Osaka for not wanting to speak with journalists after her matches. At the same time I cannot but help wonder if Osaka was professional in citing mental health as... Continue Reading →
Flipping the bird at cyclists
Why do cyclists act as if they own the road and behave obnoxiously when they get together in a group?
Unspun 