Has press freedom matched expectations?
Has press freedom matched expectations?
JAKARTA (JP): The greatly simplified procedure for obtaining a
press publishing licensing that was put in place following the
downfall of former president Soeharto has resulted in the birth
of hundreds of new press publications across the country.
New quality publications and sensationalist tabloids hit news
stands every other week.
The newfound freedom in which the nation's press can now work
has worried many people and there have been a number of claims
for damages filed by people defamed in sensationalist tabloid
reports.
The Jakarta Post asked some of its readers for their views on
the recent unprecedented press freedom.
Bambang Subianto, Minister of Finance: I expect the press will
become more introspect.
Ichsanudin Noorsy, Golkar legislator: I used to be a
journalist. The major weakness of our journalists is in their way
of thinking. An ideal journalist has to have a well-structured
way of thinking.
Journalist must also be aware of the impact of their articles
on the economy and the life of our country.
The press is a pillar of democracy and the Indonesian press
has an opportunity to play an important role promoting greater
democracy.
Iwan Prawiranata, Bank Indonesia director: I expect the press
not to report groundless rumors. Please write stories which help
to bring calm to the market.
Nia Sarinastiti Regar, marketing communications manager for
Andersen Consulting: I am not interested in trying to read new
tabloids. I stick to established publications that I have read
for a long time.
At first sight, we can see that many of new tabloids present
sensationalized news. From the titles, we know that some of them
are very subjective.
Although there are many options in the market, I limit myself
to the established publications.
Yoga Kasta Suberi, insurance company employee: I think most
tabloids run the same stories. No tabloids, magazines or
newspapers publish genuine exclusives. It becomes boring because
the media reports the same topics.
I still believe in the established publications because they
have better and more experienced journalists. If newcomers want
to get credit from their readers, they must be able to
demonstrate the quality of their stories.
Suharno, National Sports Council (KONI) public relations
officer: I am still a big fan of big-name newspapers, such as The
Jakarta Post, Kompas and Media Indonesia. The only tabloids I'm
interested in are sports tabloids.
From my point of view, many new tabloids are less qualified
than the existing ones. They usually put sensational titles on
the front page, but when you read it, you realize it's nothing
but hocus pocus.
Some of them report gossip instead of facts and I always feel
really disappointed after reading them. The quality of writing is
not very good. They try so hard to attract attention, and they
sometimes do, but only for a few seconds... after that I have to
turn back to my newspaper! (rei/yan)