Forget a free press<\/p>\n
The way the Jawa Pos newspaper and the Ansor Muslim youth
\ngroup settled their dispute over the weekend has set a dangerous
\nprecedent which not only undermines the goal of a free press and
\nfreedom of expression but, ultimately, democracy. What is most
\ndisturbing about the affair is that President Abdurrahman Wahid,
\nas one of the country's leading democratic figures, did nothing
\nto prevent the use of mob intimidation by Ansor to force Jawa Pos
\ninto submission. The President could have used his immense
\ninfluence because for 15 years he chaired the Nahdlatul Ulama
\n(NU) mass organization to which Ansor is affiliated. The least he
\ncould have done is to condemn the action by Banser, Ansor's
\ncivilian guards.<\/p>\n
Banser members occupied the office of the newspaper in
\nSurabaya, East Java, on Saturday, to protest articles accusing
\nthe President and top NU leaders of corruption. Following tense
\nnegotiations, and after Jawa Pos failed to publish its Sunday
\nedition, the sides reached a settlement.<\/p>\n
The newspaper will issue a retraction and an apology for seven
\nconsecutive days, starting Monday, for the offending articles. It
\nhas agreed to make a donation for the building of a mosque but
\nnot the Rp 35 billion (US$4.4 million) first sought by Banser.
\nThe newspaper will investigate the reporters responsible for the
\narticles, with the possibility they will be fired.<\/p>\n
It is not so much the settlement that troubles us as the way
\nit was reached. It justifies the use of mob violence to settle
\ndifferences, especially differences with the media; it is
\nbecoming a case of mobocracy, or rule by the mob. Next time
\nsomeone has a bone to pick with a newspaper, or a TV or radio
\nstation, just send the mob over. While Banser is not the first to
\nhave complained at a newspaper office, it sets a precedent in
\nusing force to occupy the premises. Banser may claim victory, but
\nit has done irreparable damage to the country's quest for
\ndemocracy, the goal its onetime chief, now the President, has
\nlong fought for.<\/p>\n
The use of force and terror against newspapers, on whatever
\npretext, cannot be condoned. It goes against the principles of a
\nfree press. Journalists, not just from Jawa Pos but also from
\nother media, cannot work effectively with the threat of violent
\nrepercussions hanging over their heads. It is a vile, tacit form
\nof censorship because journalists will now be hesitant to report
\nor write their findings out of fear. It takes us back to the days
\nof the Soeharto regime when the media, for 32 long years,
\nconducted its own censorship to avoid offending the powers that
\nbe. Although President Abdurrahman has since dissolved the
\ninformation ministry, the job of bullying the media has now been
\nassumed by others, including Banser.<\/p>\n
As we hope the Jawa Pos-Banser row would be contained, all
\nconcerned -- the media, law enforcement agencies and the public
\n-- should contemplate their role in ensuring that the media
\ncontinues to operate in an environment free from terror and
\nintimidation, in the interest of the public at large.<\/p>\n
The media is not entirely blameless for prompting the public
\nto have second thoughts about excesses of press freedom. We have
\nseen time and again how some members of the media abuse their
\nposition by indulging in muckraking and reckless journalism. Some
\nmay have been committed on purpose, others out of sloppiness or
\nlack of professionalism. Overall, the media has been quite
\nresponsible in using its freedom, but remember that it takes only
\nthe irresponsible behavior of a minority to harm the reputation
\nof the entire industry. Peer pressure is therefore essential in
\nensuring that all media use caution and wisdom. This calls for a
\nmore effective role of media watchdogs.<\/p>\n
Law enforcement agencies must also get their acts together.
\nThe 1999 Press Law both guarantees press freedom and protects the
\npublic against abuses. In addition, the Criminal Code provides
\nstiff punishment for slander and libel cases. Yet, we have not
\nseen any reckless media being convicted under any of the laws.
\nThis only shows how deep is the public mistrust of the law and
\nthe law enforcement agencies. They would rather take their case
\ndirectly to newspapers, using force if necessary, to get what
\nthey want.<\/p>\n
Since a free press and freedom of expression are pillars of
\ndemocracy, the public too must ensure that they are continually
\nobserved. Had Indonesia followed other countries in marking World
\nPress Freedom Day on May 3 last week, the message would probably
\nhave been received by the public that the free press ultimately
\nserves their interests more than anyone else. In the future,
\neveryone, without exception and including the President and
\nBanser, must turn to courts of law to resolve disputes they have
\nwith the media. Until they do this, Indonesia may as well forget
\nabout a free press, and with it, democracy.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/forget-a-free-press-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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