Press freedom<\/p>\n
In his acceptance speech for a professorship at the University
\nof Indonesia recently, Harsono Suwardi questioned the
\ncompatibility of the government's pledge of more political
\nopenness and the restriction of the press in actual practice.<\/p>\n
Harsono said that the so-called \"free and responsible\" press
\nis none other than a government-controlled press. In reality,
\nthis control has given rise to an atmosphere of uncertainty.
\nGauging the authority's sensitivity toward certain issues is a
\ndaily task. Most of the time, the press has to rely on survival
\ninstinct.<\/p>\n
Perhaps, it is about time to set up an arbitration body, such
\nas the ombudsman in Europe, which can serve as an intermediary
\nbetween the government and the press when there is a
\ndisagreement.<\/p>\n
It is now 50 years since our independence and we have never
\npondered the possibility of having such a body. One of the
\nreasons, perhaps, is because, up to the 1970s, we had only been
\nacquainted with the term \"free press\".<\/p>\n
Harsono suggested that both parties exercise tolerance in
\norder to achieve the high sounding goal of a \"free and
\nresponsible\" press. But there is a weakness in this tolerant
\napproach: the absence of legal basis. The existence of an
\narbitration body may fill in this void.<\/p>\n
-- Merdeka, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/press-freedom-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }