Press test for Indonesia<\/p>\n
The largest and harshest group of "judges" ever to invade the
\ncountry will push Indonesia's new policy of openness to the limit
\nthis month.<\/p>\n
Some 5,000 foreign and local news reporters and commentators
\nare due to be in the country before Nov. 15. Officially, they
\nwill throw the spotlight on the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
\n(APEC) forum meeting in Bogor.<\/p>\n
In fact, a large number will also be focusing on the entire
\nIndonesian archipelago, and may range further afield into other
\nSoutheast Asian nations during their short visits.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has gamely promised to welcome foreign reporters,
\nincluding many -- especially Australians -- barred from entry in
\nthe past.<\/p>\n
By opening the country to a press invasion unprecedented in
\nits history, Jakarta hopes to set aside many old stereotypes of
\nthe nation.<\/p>\n
It wants to broadcast, for example, word that Indonesia is a
\ncountry which is developing quickly, and to lay to rest the
\nbucolic image of the beaches of Bali.<\/p>\n
It also wants the world to see that the bad old days of the
\nSukarno regime, and the turmoil and racist policies which
\nfollowed it, are over.<\/p>\n
More than anything, it wants the world to believe that the
\nEast Timor situation is nowhere near as bad as many think it is.<\/p>\n
U.S. President Bill Clinton will be dragging the bulk of the
\nforeign press corps in his wake to Bogor, a town just outside of
\nJakarta and the site of the summit.<\/p>\n
Mr. Clinton, Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Japanese Prime
\nMinister Tomiichi Murayama will attract the bulk of APEC
\ncoverage.<\/p>\n
But reporters are likely to want more than predictable sound
\nbites about APEC, a pretty boring subject to most newspaper
\nreaders and TV news viewers.<\/p>\n
Loose in Indonesia, many of these journalists are going to try
\nto search for "the real story" of ASEAN's most populous member.
\nBecause of this, the country's leaders may find themselves
\nanswering questions with no connection to the Asia-Pacific
\nmeeting.<\/p>\n
The government is admittedly on the hot seat for the APEC
\nconference and its massive media invasion. Clearly Jakarta is
\nwell aware and willing that its new policy of openness be put to
\nthe test. Therefore, it seems only reasonable that Indonesia be
\ngiven the benefit of the doubt.<\/p>\n
If Indonesia can handle this intrusion well, it will signal a
\nnew era for the Soeharto administration. Such a chance surely
\nwill be welcomed by all but the most biased and anti-Indonesia
\nobservers.<\/p>\n
It is a difficult task for an administration to switch
\ninformation horses. Under President Soeharto, Indonesia has
\nearned a reputation as a critic of the press.<\/p>\n
It has long been more prone to lash out and punish the
\nmessenger than to address the message. There is no reason it must
\nalways be like this, as other countries including our own, show.<\/p>\n
Freedom of the press can exist alongside a responsible
\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
If Indonesia carries through on its pledge to allow this
\nfreedom, it will earn the respect it deserves.<\/p>\n
-- The Bangkok Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/press-test-for-indonesia-1447902657", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }