Media should be a means of `social control': News anchor
Tony Ryanto, Contributor, Jakarta
When TVRI was the only television station in Indonesia, viewers had only one channel to view and programs were in black and white. Now they have a choice of at least 12, comprising 10 private networks and two pubcasters (TVRI and TVRI2).
Running parallel with the development of the industry, a considerably large number of people have built a wonderful career for themselves. One of them is Rosianna Magdalena Silalahi, 30, anchorwoman at SCTV, currently the private network with the third largest market share.
Silalahi joined SCTV on Aug. 2, 1999 and became a member of the network's celebrated Liputan 6 news cast in 2000. She did an effective interview with Ali Gufron, one of the suspects in last year's Bali bombings. Normally, one would not have thought it possible to conduct a question-and-answer session within the space of only a few minutes, but she did.
While a newscaster or newsreader is not editorially responsible for the news, an anchorperson is. Silalahi works about 10 hours a day. Her daily routine begins with a 90-minute meeting at 3 p.m., followed by a one-hour make-up session, which she simply "hates". A 30-minute final review precedes the late afternoon newscast at 6 p.m.
Before joining SCTV, Silalahi worked as a reporter at TVRI for about three-and-half years. It was during this period that she got acquainted with journalism.
Being an anchorwoman, Silalahi expressed the hope that she could in due time present stories that were not merely facts and not only quote what officials say but the result of investigative reporting.
"What I am referring to are in-depth stories that are interesting to read because they have substance with a clear message. Consequently, they will have the power to do away with what is known as media amnesia."
Asked whether the press should maintain a neutral position at all times, Silalahi says "Definitely not. I don't like the term neutral, particularly in cases of graft and corruption. Our position should be to discourage irregularities that harm the interests of the people.
"There are cases that will not make it possible for journalists not to take sides at all. So in this respect, we must side with those that strive for the truth and justice. In short, let's hope the press could be an effective agent of social control."
What about the case of Inul Daratista?
"It is best not to take sides. But one should see to it that both parties keep their cool. That is to say, there should be no scolding, punishing or banning."
On a lighter note, one could not deny the fact that a successful anchorperson would inevitably become a celebrity.
"To tell you the truth, I don't like being a celebrity," she said. That's why, perhaps, there are two Silalahis.
Silalahi in real life looks different from Silalahi the anchorwoman. The former is a hospitable and amiable host while the second is a no-nonsense, formally dressed professional. This change in appearance must be the work of the make-up artist.
Like most people, Silalahi, too, has a dream which she hopes will one day come true. That is to have her own 60 Minutes program like the one run by giant U.S. network CBS.
60 Minutes was one of the top-20 American TV programs from l976-77 to 2000-2001. It enjoyed the number-one position in 1991- 92 and l992-93, according to the 2002 People Weekly Almanac.
Back in her high-school days at privately run Santa Ursula high school, she was a leading member of a "gang" of 12, whose initiatives and action often caused headaches among their teachers.
"In contrast, I got good marks, notably in English, and ranked number two or three in class. Also, I was a member of the marching band," Silalahi said.
"Our being naughty," she claimed, "contributed greatly to our being able to live independently. In a way, I feel that if I had been a good girl, I would not have been able to carve a good name for myself at SCTV. In this context, I would like to thank Sister Francesco Marianti of Santa Ursula.
"While studying Japanese language and literature at the Faculty of Letters, University of Indonesia, we were given four options that would respectively make us teachers, translators or researchers. I chose the fourth: study of the Japanese media as seen from the cultural point of view.
"In Japan, seniority plays a key role. That's why nobody would dare criticize or find fault with senior officials."
Silalahi is the youngest in a family with five children. "My father died while I was in junior high school. The first three have gotten married.
"I love traveling and I like to see films, especially when I need relief. Among my favorite stars is Russell Crowe."
"He should have won the Best Actor Oscar for performing excellently in A Beautiful Mind, which I've seen several times.
"That's why, and I know this does not make sense and is unfair, I'm no longer a fan of Denzel Washington, who got the Best Actor Oscar for playing a merciless corrupt cop in Training Day.
"Washington is a fine actor but not in that particular one. He's excellent in Crimson Tide, Philadelphia, The Hurricane and Remember The Titans."
Silalahi has no regrets studying Japanese language and culture. She used to teach Japanese business executives Bahasa Indonesia by using Japanese as a medium of instruction.
"The salary was great, I could be financially independent during my pre-TV days."