Dangerous biased reporting

An article written by Cindy Shiner appearing in The International Herald Tribune on Jan. 23, 1998, is an example of biased reporting which might create misconception. This is the more dangerous because it appeared in a well-known and widely read English daily.

At a time where peace and order are important, articles which are biased and create negative reactions should be avoided as much as possible.

Psychologically, everything and anything which puts the government in a bad light gets enthusiastic acceptance from common people and selected intellectuals. Why are malicious issues spread by irresponsible people or groups so popular? One of the reasons perhaps is that when one spreads such an issue, people may consider the person important and well-connected, someone who knows everything and has inside information, thus raising the person's status. Most probably the person himself does not believe 100 percent in what he is telling other people.

The uncontrolled emotions of Indonesians, exploited by irresponsible people, were aimed not only at Chinese but at Indonesians as well. Violent eruptions are to be regretted, whether they are directed at ethnic Chinese or Indonesians, because rioting will not bring down the prices of essential commodities. Neither will it produce a solution. We have enough troubles and these things should be stopped as they only bring additional suffering to the people.

In these difficult times everybody should put aside their personal interests and concentrate on how to serve the people. The higher one's position, the bigger his responsibility to the people. A position in the government is not to be used for private gains. One should consider it a sign of trust from the people, and act and behave accordingly.

The correct attitude will discourage irresponsible people from spreading issues which are blown all out of proportion, but which are readily swallowed by the public. On the other hand, official information is usually accepted with a certain amount of skepticism, while negative reports about the government spread like wildfire without any attempt from the public seek verification.

Sometimes the behavior of some Indonesian officials, who are trying to fish in muddy waters, is the main cause of riots, which have nothing to do with the Chinese minority.

Cindy Shiner further says that during the abortive communist coup, thousands of communists and ethnic Chinese were killed. Why should Shiner especially mention ethnic Chinese, while in reality people killed at the time (although very much regretted) were communists. Whether they were Indonesians or Chinese or any other race had nothing to do with it. Shiner should know that.

The recent incident in which shops owned by Chinese were ransacked was not because they were Chinese, but rather because they stocked up on essential foodstuffs. Shops owned by native Indonesians were also targets of attack. East Java governor (certainly not a Chinese) said that the riots were aimed at toppling him (Kompas, Feb. 4).

The report that Sofjan Wanandi was asked by the military to clarify the inclusion of his name in one of the documents found at the bombing site is again exploited by the Tribune. They conveniently forgot to report that Surya Paloh, a prominent non- Chinese, was also questioned alone the same lines. The Armed Forces chief clearly said that this had nothing to do with racial, religious or ethnic considerations. Every citizen is equal before law and should be treated accordingly.

In Indonesia we have only one type of citizenship i.e. Indonesian, irrespective of origin -- Chinese, Arab or other. Every citizen enjoys the same rights and shoulders the same responsibilities.

SOEGIH ARTO

Jakarta