JP\/7\/BUDI<\/p>\n
Ideology is more than just a mouthful of rice<\/p>\n
Budiman S. Hartoyo
\nGeneral Chairman
\nReformed Association of
\nIndonesian Journalists
\n(PWI Reformasi)
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
Today's press freedom is the most significant outcome of the
\nreform movement. The press should be grateful to the young,
\nuniversity students and the public, who have waged their struggle
\nagainst the New Order regime.<\/p>\n
The public is increasingly aware of its civil rights,
\nincluding the right to gain access to information, and the right
\nto express opinions freely.<\/p>\n
Today, any citizen may publish a media publication without
\nfirst having to obtain a license from the government. The look of
\npublications, their news content and their editorial policies are
\nalso very varied. Some feel so \"free\" in the way they manage the
\nmedia that their \"products\" no longer serve to channel public
\naspirations and interests, but only cater to the interests of an
\ninfluential few.<\/p>\n
Unsurprisingly, lately some officials and legislators have
\ncomplained that the press has \"gone too far\". No less than State
\nMinister of Communications and Information Syamsul Muarif earlier
\nsuggested revising Press Law No. 40\/1999 to accommodate clauses
\nof the Criminal Code into the act. This is so far the only piece
\nof legislation that guarantees freedom of the press.<\/p>\n
If \"going too far\" is understood in terms of criticism leveled
\nat the powers that be, then the allegation is wrongly addressed.
\nIf this refers to the style of \"yellow papers\" this term should
\nbe explained within parentheses in the print and electronic
\nmedia, such style will exist anywhere and at any time. Of course,
\nyellow paper style cannot be used as the standard in evaluating
\nthe development of the press.<\/p>\n
One must differentiate between the content of print
\npublications such as Kompas, Suara Pembaruan, Sinar Harapan, Jawa
\nPos, Republika, Media Indonesia, Koran TEMPO, Serambi Indonesia,
\nWaspada, Analisa, Suara Merdeka and many others.<\/p>\n
The content of the diverse media today more or less reflects
\nthe mission of their owners and publishers, including those only
\nin the business for profit and those swept away by the euphoria
\nof new-found freedom.<\/p>\n
Indeed, the position and role of the media are at least
\ndetermined by the owners and chief editors. However, in a society
\ntrying to reach a democracy, the position of the press depends on
\npublic trust. A media that no longer enjoys public trust will be
\nabandoned by its audience.<\/p>\n
An intelligent public needs a media that prioritizes the
\npublic interest, not the political interests of capital owners or
\nthe personal concerns of chief editors. Therefore, the press must
\nbe free from political interests, especially conflicting ones.<\/p>\n
To ensure that press publications assume an independent
\nattitude, they must achieve independence, in either their
\neconomic or managerial aspects, and prioritize integrity.<\/p>\n
A professionally managed press may grow into an economically
\nstrong industry, and even into a conglomeration powerful enough
\nto shape public opinion. Such power must be understood as a
\nresponsibility to educate and enlighten the public. A chief
\neditor is not \"an intellectual dictator\" but an editor who, with
\nhis editorials, sides with truth, justice, common sense and
\nordinary, downtrodden people.<\/p>\n
Despite such tall expectations the media still often forgets
\nthe public's stake in press freedom -- as if it were only the
\nconcern of the industry, capital owners, chief editors or
\njournalists.<\/p>\n
To cater to this public trust the media can only support the
\nprocess of the development of an intelligent civil society
\nthrough independence and through its ability to weigh up
\nsituations with common sense. Guidance on integrity, or fidelity
\nto moral principles and honesty (according to the Webster
\ndictionary) is found in the Indonesian Journalists' Code of
\nConduct. This is the press worker's \"ideology\", one that is
\ntested by time, particularly when interests clash with powerful
\nparties -- leading to various attempts to influence the press,
\nincluding bribery.<\/p>\n
Ideally, no matter how small a journalists' salary, he should
\nnot sell his integrity for a mouthful of rice. But in this
\ncountry, that is far easier said than done.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jp7budi-1447899208",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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