Media should be a means of `social control': News anchor
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."