Biased press

Biased press

Poor Mrs. Anne-Marie Elizabeth Tapp ("Your Letters," July 12,
1996)! She has never read an unfavorable report about Indonesia
in her home country. Of course not, Mrs. Tapp. But if you can
detach yourself from the travel guide section of any big London
bookstore next time you visit, perhaps you can amble down to the
Politics/History area and discover for the first time that such
newspaper articles and books do exist.

The British Library might also be able to help you. Or try
cultivating a friendship with one of the press affairs people at
our Embassy on Grosvenor Square. They will provide you with ample
material. Don't tell me you have never heard of Carmel Budiardjo,
John Pilger, or Brian May? They are among the most tendentious
and one-sided reporters around.

Surely you do know that for decades, developing countries have
fought for a better balance in coverage from the international
press. And what about Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's
recent complaint that the Western press have written about him
disparagingly? And the Singapore Straits Times had a story on
July 2 titled New York Times refuses to print Singapore
government's reply on (Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew's luxury
housing) matter. And wonder of all wonders, the very newspaper
you write to -- The Jakarta Post -- in its international
advertising literature states that one of its missions is
"counter-balancing the Western-dominated perspective of global
news and views."

Perhaps all of them, like you claim I am doing, pretend to
champion objectivity and a balanced approach. All of the people
who have protested are wrong and there is no such thing as biased
Western journalism. It simply doesn't exist in Mrs. Tapp's eyes.

I do know that the Mills and Boon paperbacks or the Sweet
Valley High series are exciting for some. But isn't it time we
progressed beyond starry-eyed fantasy?

FARID BASKORO

Jakarta