Mega has only herself to blame: Experts Megawati told to introspect over media report
Kurniawan Hari The Jakarta Post Jakarta
President Megawati Soekarnoputri has only herself to blame for her administration's deteriorating image, public relations experts said Thursday.
The experts were commenting on Megawati's claim that the media were unbalanced in its reporting of the utility price increases and the protests against her administration.
Public relations practitioners Teddy Kharsadi and Magdalena Wenas expressed concern at what they said was the President's improper response to the criticism.
Teddy, an advisor to the Public Relations Association (Perhumas), suggested that Megawati not blame the national media but instead form a team to explain her policies to the people.
The government's habit of not explaining the reasons behind any of its policies had sparked prejudice among the people, regardless of the decision they made, Magdalena said.
"The government has to build a strong team to improve its communication with the people," said Magdalena, the director of the Center of Reputation and Management.
It is now common to see protesters at mass rallies burning images of the President and Vice President Hamzah Has, or defacing the national flag.
Protests against Megawati's leadership have been numerous in the past few months, often sparked by decisions that have hurt the public's sense of justice.
Among the most controversial decisions was her plan to release high-profile debtors from criminal charges. Shortly afterwards, the government decided to cut fuel subsidies and increase electricity tariffs and telephone rates by 6 percent and 15 percent respectively.
Some people also oppose the government's decision to sell its 41.9 percent stake in state telecommunications firm PT Indosat to a foreign company.
A dejected Megawati accused the national media on Wednesday of exaggerating the stories. She said the media was not sympathetic to her and always misunderstood her words and policies.
Teddy, who led Perhumas for 10 years, said Megawati needed to work to restore credibility and regain public trust, not blame the media.
He suggested the government set up a crisis management team to respond to all criticism of her administration.
Magdalena said Megawati's administration had to begin building the communication team, otherwise the image of her government would continue to slump.