Avoid negative perceptions<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post is perhaps the only source of independent and
\nneutral reference about Indonesia for the rest of the world. What
\nyou say and how you say it carry enormous weight in shaping
\ninternational perception of the country.<\/p>\n
I was, therefore, rather disappointed to the screaming
\nheadlines on the front page of your newspaper, on two consecutive
\ndays last week, that Our sense of humanity is already dead (Nov.
\n15), and Indonesia mentally ill (Nov. 16).<\/p>\n
In my opinion, the Post presented a very gloomy picture rising
\nout of certain current events. Newsworthiness is important, but
\nthis is not the only concern. A responsible and influential
\nnewspaper like yours should avoid creating excessive and negative
\nperceptions, which would not only create cynicism among the
\npublic, but would also nullify any small chance for direct
\nforeign investment that the country might expect in the near
\nfuture.<\/p>\n
The majority of Indonesians love peace. From whatever
\nexperience I have gathered in this country, I opine that the
\ncommon people of Indonesia are kind-hearted and gracious as
\nindividuals, and stand up to truth, justice, tolerance, and
\ncompassion for their fellow human beings.<\/p>\n
Your own \"Speakers' Corner\" column, I notice, often brings out
\nthe best wisdom, generally not expected from the lowest strata of
\nsociety, whom you interview regularly.<\/p>\n
Let us look at the positive events that have happened in
\nIndonesia in recent years. Who would have even thought that
\npresident Soeharto, after 32 years of rule, would step down from
\noffice so abruptly in 1998? Who would have imagined that the
\nstatus of East Timor would change so drastically, thanks to a
\nsingle major decision by Habibie, who was president at the time?
\nI was pleasantly surprised that during the beginning of president
\nAbdurrahman Wahid's rule, he audaciously abolished the
\ninformation ministry. Press freedom is now taken for granted.<\/p>\n
All these momentous changes took place within a span of a mere
\nfour years. Not a mean achievement at all, for a country of this
\nsize and diversity.<\/p>\n
D. CHANDRAMOULI, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/avoid-negative-perceptions-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }