Forget a free press

Forget a free press

The way the Jawa Pos newspaper and the Ansor Muslim youth
group settled their dispute over the weekend has set a dangerous
precedent which not only undermines the goal of a free press and
freedom of expression but, ultimately, democracy. What is most
disturbing about the affair is that President Abdurrahman Wahid,
as one of the country's leading democratic figures, did nothing
to prevent the use of mob intimidation by Ansor to force Jawa Pos
into submission. The President could have used his immense
influence because for 15 years he chaired the Nahdlatul Ulama
(NU) mass organization to which Ansor is affiliated. The least he
could have done is to condemn the action by Banser, Ansor's
civilian guards.

Banser members occupied the office of the newspaper in
Surabaya, East Java, on Saturday, to protest articles accusing
the President and top NU leaders of corruption. Following tense
negotiations, and after Jawa Pos failed to publish its Sunday
edition, the sides reached a settlement.

The newspaper will issue a retraction and an apology for seven
consecutive days, starting Monday, for the offending articles. It
has agreed to make a donation for the building of a mosque but
not the Rp 35 billion (US$4.4 million) first sought by Banser.
The newspaper will investigate the reporters responsible for the
articles, with the possibility they will be fired.

It is not so much the settlement that troubles us as the way
it was reached. It justifies the use of mob violence to settle
differences, especially differences with the media; it is
becoming a case of mobocracy, or rule by the mob. Next time
someone has a bone to pick with a newspaper, or a TV or radio
station, just send the mob over. While Banser is not the first to
have complained at a newspaper office, it sets a precedent in
using force to occupy the premises. Banser may claim victory, but
it has done irreparable damage to the country's quest for
democracy, the goal its onetime chief, now the President, has
long fought for.

The use of force and terror against newspapers, on whatever
pretext, cannot be condoned. It goes against the principles of a
free press. Journalists, not just from Jawa Pos but also from
other media, cannot work effectively with the threat of violent
repercussions hanging over their heads. It is a vile, tacit form
of censorship because journalists will now be hesitant to report
or write their findings out of fear. It takes us back to the days
of the Soeharto regime when the media, for 32 long years,
conducted its own censorship to avoid offending the powers that
be. Although President Abdurrahman has since dissolved the
information ministry, the job of bullying the media has now been
assumed by others, including Banser.

As we hope the Jawa Pos-Banser row would be contained, all
concerned -- the media, law enforcement agencies and the public
-- should contemplate their role in ensuring that the media
continues to operate in an environment free from terror and
intimidation, in the interest of the public at large.

The media is not entirely blameless for prompting the public
to have second thoughts about excesses of press freedom. We have
seen time and again how some members of the media abuse their
position by indulging in muckraking and reckless journalism. Some
may have been committed on purpose, others out of sloppiness or
lack of professionalism. Overall, the media has been quite
responsible in using its freedom, but remember that it takes only
the irresponsible behavior of a minority to harm the reputation
of the entire industry. Peer pressure is therefore essential in
ensuring that all media use caution and wisdom. This calls for a
more effective role of media watchdogs.

Law enforcement agencies must also get their acts together.
The 1999 Press Law both guarantees press freedom and protects the
public against abuses. In addition, the Criminal Code provides
stiff punishment for slander and libel cases. Yet, we have not
seen any reckless media being convicted under any of the laws.
This only shows how deep is the public mistrust of the law and
the law enforcement agencies. They would rather take their case
directly to newspapers, using force if necessary, to get what
they want.

Since a free press and freedom of expression are pillars of
democracy, the public too must ensure that they are continually
observed. Had Indonesia followed other countries in marking World
Press Freedom Day on May 3 last week, the message would probably
have been received by the public that the free press ultimately
serves their interests more than anyone else. In the future,
everyone, without exception and including the President and
Banser, must turn to courts of law to resolve disputes they have
with the media. Until they do this, Indonesia may as well forget
about a free press, and with it, democracy.