Media gloom

Taufiqurrahman's article on Dec. 27 concerning the Press Law and press freedom is appropriate and pithy. He states that the freedoms that Indonesia has gained in recent years have been shackled by a powerful elite offended by the media disturbing their comfortable lives.

Also mentioned is the duty of the media to publish negative news as part of its social control function. He calls on journalists to embark on a process of soul-searching, to abide by the journalistic code of ethics and to improve their professionalism.

Let's start by eliminating the censorship self-imposed by the media after veiled threats from those in power. Have we talked about the eight million barrels of oil given to Megawati Soekarnoputri under the food for oil program? A smaller scandal deposed Abdurrahman Wahid. Are we allowed to chastise Communist China's constant war threats against a self-determining nation? It is time for a wake-up call to journalists and editors to ascertain what has gone wrong with journalism in Indonesia.

BRIEN F DOYLE, Jakarta