Cutting out the misinformation to tell the truth on touchy issues<\/p>\n
Philip Flood, Sydney<\/p>\n
The Australia Indonesia Institute is delighted to congratulate
\nThe Jakarta Post on its 20th anniversary.<\/p>\n
Through outstanding editorials, impressive news coverage and
\nexcellent features, The Jakarta Post has played a major role in
\ninforming an English-speaking audience of developments in
\nIndonesia and of global developments from an Indonesian
\nperspective.<\/p>\n
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, when the Post and
\nothers were pushing the boundaries of freedom of the press in a
\nresponsible way, I recall the courage and independence shown by
\nyour journalists. Good journalists are well served by outstanding
\neditors and some, like Sabam Siagian, have gone on to become
\nbrilliant ambassadors for Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The founders of the Post deserve high praise for the political
\nand financial risks they took in beginning an imaginative
\nventure. English-speaking audiences around the globe as well as
\nwithin Indonesia need to know what is happening in the world's
\nlargest Muslim nation and the most important country in Southeast
\nAsia. The Jakarta Post has met that need admirably.<\/p>\n
At the present time, much of the Western world is confused
\nabout Islam. Historical knowledge is undervalued. The
\ncontribution of Islam to social justice, philosophy, poetry,
\nmedicine, mathematics and astronomy has been largely forgotten.<\/p>\n
In the minds of many Islam has become associated with violence
\nand the Taliban's warped vision of religion. Indonesia can play a
\nrole in changing this. Indonesia has been a beacon for moderate
\nIslam and for tolerance and cooperation with other religions, and
\nthe voice of Indonesia's moderate Muslim leaders needs to become
\nmore vocal and to find an audience in the West.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post can play a vital role in this.<\/p>\n
Many thousands of Australians have enhanced their
\nunderstanding and their affection for the people of Indonesia
\nthrough the excellent work of the Post. We look forward to much
\nmore in the next 20 years.<\/p>\n
(The writer was Australia's ambassador to Indonesia. He
\ncurrently chairs the Australia Indonesia Institute).<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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