Good reporting<\/p>\n
I am starting this letter with some good news. Having recently
\nreturned from a trip to the Bandung and Semarang areas, I could
\nsee that the recent fairly heavy rainfall, in various areas of
\nIndonesia, is having a positive effect on our crops. After last
\nyear's prolonged drought, this is indeed a welcome development
\nfor people living here.<\/p>\n
Our small group, after working in Bandung, visited the
\nTangkuban Prahu crater north of the city and along the way
\nnoticed that the countryside was lush and verdant, stretching to
\nthe mountains in the distance. The rice fields promised a rich
\nharvest, the corn was growing higher by the day, the fruit and
\nvegetable crops were ripening in neatly tended fields. The
\nSundanese people in the countryside were, as usual, friendly and
\nhospitable. The mood was peaceful and pleasant.<\/p>\n
On my trip, I kept in touch with other developments, usually
\nbuying The Jakarta Post at places where English-language
\nnewspapers are sold. On occasion, I would purchase an overseas
\npublication, mostly to read what others were writing about this
\ncountry.<\/p>\n
I will now say, after returning to Jakarta, thank you, The
\nJakarta Post, for doing the best job of reporting what has
\nrecently been happening around Indonesia. Despite your fewer
\npages, you pack a lot of reliable and balanced information about
\nevents. You have adopted a tone of moderation, showing little
\nhint of excessive bias in anything you present.<\/p>\n
You have not been guilty of opinion-mongering or suggesting
\nhow people should think in your news pages, and you reported the
\nfacts. You reported the positive developments (such as the IMF's
\nrelease of funds), as well as the sad news about the increasing
\nviolence among protesters. Telling us fairly what government is
\nsaying and what the antigovernment sides are demanding is a good
\nmix. Well done!<\/p>\n
Being in other areas of Indonesia and observing life as a
\nwhole, instead of being glued to the TV screen, mesmerized by
\nCNN, can often be extremely educational. I suggest all readers or
\nviewers try it sometime.<\/p>\n
FARID BASKORO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/good-reporting-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }