Media gloom

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