Good reporting

Good reporting

I am starting this letter with some good news. Having recently
returned from a trip to the Bandung and Semarang areas, I could
see that the recent fairly heavy rainfall, in various areas of
Indonesia, is having a positive effect on our crops. After last
year's prolonged drought, this is indeed a welcome development
for people living here.

Our small group, after working in Bandung, visited the
Tangkuban Prahu crater north of the city and along the way
noticed that the countryside was lush and verdant, stretching to
the mountains in the distance. The rice fields promised a rich
harvest, the corn was growing higher by the day, the fruit and
vegetable crops were ripening in neatly tended fields. The
Sundanese people in the countryside were, as usual, friendly and
hospitable. The mood was peaceful and pleasant.

On my trip, I kept in touch with other developments, usually
buying The Jakarta Post at places where English-language
newspapers are sold. On occasion, I would purchase an overseas
publication, mostly to read what others were writing about this
country.

I will now say, after returning to Jakarta, thank you, The
Jakarta Post, for doing the best job of reporting what has
recently been happening around Indonesia. Despite your fewer
pages, you pack a lot of reliable and balanced information about
events. You have adopted a tone of moderation, showing little
hint of excessive bias in anything you present.

You have not been guilty of opinion-mongering or suggesting
how people should think in your news pages, and you reported the
facts. You reported the positive developments (such as the IMF's
release of funds), as well as the sad news about the increasing
violence among protesters. Telling us fairly what government is
saying and what the antigovernment sides are demanding is a good
mix. Well done!

Being in other areas of Indonesia and observing life as a
whole, instead of being glued to the TV screen, mesmerized by
CNN, can often be extremely educational. I suggest all readers or
viewers try it sometime.

FARID BASKORO

Jakarta