Information ministry

Information ministry

The possibility of the revival of the information ministry has
sparked controversy. In the New Order period, this ministry
served as the government's tool in disseminating its programs and
persuading the people to implement or actively participate in the
programs.

Based on presidential decrees outlining its functions, the
ministry spearheaded various campaigns to expedite the
implementation of various government programs like family
planning, public health, agricultural campaigns, etc.

To maintain its power, the New Order regime tightened its
control over activities in all sectors, including the mass media.
Newspapers such as Sinar Harapan and Prioritas, and periodicals
like Monitor, Tempo and Detik were banned.

Undeniably, the presence of the ministry was required in the
past, when radios and televisions were still rare in rural areas
and when newspapers had not entered villages, home to a large
portion of the population.

However, today radios are found everywhere, even in remote
areas. Televisions and newspapers have entered villages as the
number of illiterates has been decreasing. Thus people in rural
areas can easily get the latest information, including
information on the government's development programs.

Media operators now demand press freedom and the mass media
has taken over part of the tasks of the information ministry.
However, they only give one-way information, whereas the people,
especially those in rural areas, need dialogs. Thus, officials
who can cater to such needs are needed.

If the plan to reestablish the ministry is canceled to save
funds, the government should appoint institutions or officials to
serve rural communities by holding dialogs and giving information
on government programs. The task can be entrusted to relevant
ministers, high-ranking officials, heads of districts or
subdistricts, or even village heads.

SOEDARTO

Jakarta