TV pooling reflects authoritarian government: Expert<\/p>\n
By T. Sima Gunawan<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): She said she did not really like watching
\ntelevision, but lately she had become addicted to it. She had
\neven become aware of the exact scheduling of news programs on
\neach of the six local television stations.<\/p>\n
Like millions of Indonesians and many foreigners around the
\nworld, Cynthia Wirantini is curious about the latest political
\ndevelopment in the country.<\/p>\n
The resignation of president Soeharto and the swearing in of
\nB.J. Habibie as his successor; the announcement of the new
\ncabinet and the reactions of students, analysts and common
\npeople, each event was broadcast by both foreign and local TV
\nstations: state TVRI and the five private TV networks, RCTI,
\nSCTV, TPI, ANteve and Indosiar.<\/p>\n
When riots rocked Jakarta on May 14, the stations covered the
\nincidents extensively.<\/p>\n
\"I was glued to the TV. The news scared me, but I was
\ncurious,\" Cynthia said.<\/p>\n
She had reason to be scared.<\/p>\n
She could clearly see on TV how the mobs stoned buildings,
\nbroke into shops and looted them, and then set them on fire. It
\nwas violent, brutal, vicious, evil, savage -- you name it. TV
\ncameramen recorded the citywide commotion and their stations
\nbroadcast the incidents. The five private stations covered the
\nincidents without being subject to censorship.<\/p>\n
Two days later something happened. Upon the order of then
\nminister of information Alwi Dahlan, all TV stations relayed a
\n30-minute news program compiled by a TV pool. Broadcasts were at
\n6 a.m. and 2 p.m. This was in addition to the 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
\ndaily TVRI news that all stations must air.<\/p>\n
As a result, the city looked much safer -- on TV.<\/p>\n
\"I don't like it,\" Cynthia said. \"I know the government wanted
\nto calm people down. It wanted to give the impression that the
\ncity was safe, while in fact it was not that safe. What if people
\nwent out and something happened to them?\"<\/p>\n
She also complained about the repetition of news which was
\nbroadcast.<\/p>\n
The news produced by TV stations also seemed \"softer\". A
\nprivate TV crew said their tapes had to be sent to TVRI for
\napproval.<\/p>\n
These restrictions, however, were lifted with the downfall of
\npresident Soeharto.<\/p>\n
Private stations had a surge in courage and they now boldly
\npresent facts to channel people's aspirations. On Friday evening,
\nANteve broadcast a talk show with leading government critic Amien
\nRais. At the same time, SCTV interviewed Ryaas Rasyid, rector of
\nthe National Institute of Administration.<\/p>\n
The press had already started to present daring reports
\nfollowing a call from 19 researchers of the National Institute of
\nSciences (LIPI) in January for the election of a new president
\nfor the sake of political and economic reforms, according to
\ncommunications expert M. Budyatna of the University of Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"People then started to have the courage to talk,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"Well, actually people shared the same ideas about reform, but
\nthere was a need for somebody to first start talking,\" he added.<\/p>\n
After that, demands for reform increased, followed by student
\ndemonstrations in various cities. The shooting of a student in
\nYogyakarta and several others in Surakarta as well as a statement
\nby activist Pius Lustrilanang on his alleged kidnapping and
\nassault, intensified the situation. But the main trigger was the
\nshooting of four students of Jakarta's Trisakti University on May
\n12. People became more outspoken and the press, which up until
\nthen had been timid, started to step forward and display
\nboldness.<\/p>\n
\"I doubt things would be like this if the press hadn't dared
\nto reveal the truth,\" he said, referring to the resignation of
\nSoeharto.<\/p>\n
Press freedom is paramount to the establishment of democracy.
\nTelevision stations should have the freedom to cover any event
\nand broadcast their own reports.<\/p>\n
Enforced TV news pooling is against human rights. It deprives
\none's right to access to information. \"At the same time, it also
\nstifles TV journalists' creativity,\" Budyatna said.<\/p>\n
He said the government should cancel TV stations' obligation
\nto relay any news from TVRI. This would mean private stations
\nwould be free from the obligation to air TVRI's 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
\nnews, as well as the TV pool news.<\/p>\n
So far, private TV stations are required to broadcast \"special
\nreports\" on former president Soeharto's activities as well as
\nother government activities.<\/p>\n
\"That's disgusting. I'd prefer to go to bed rather than watch
\nsuch reports,\" Budyatna said.<\/p>\n
TV news pooling is a reflection of an authoritarian
\ngovernment. \"It is more than propaganda, it is indoctrination,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
The new government must be open to criticism and allow freedom
\nof the press.<\/p>\n
If the government does not like certain reports, if it is
\ninsulted by some reports or finds them defamatory, it could sue
\nthe network, he said.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, good mass media should also be able to
\ncarry out their task to educate people. A good press is a
\nresponsible press, he concluded.<\/p>",
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