Megawati told to talk more to the press
Megawati told to talk more to the press
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Indonesia's National Press Day on Friday offered President
Megawati Soekarnoputri an occasion to both criticize the media,
and to learn how to deal with it.
A former presidential spokesman suggested that Megawati
improve her relationship with the press in order to allow the
public better access to information.
"As a state official, Megawati is supposed to respond -- as
well as answer -- questions from the public, as people have the
right to understand government policies," said Wimar Witoelar,
spokesman for former president Abdurrahman Wahid, said.
The fact that Megawati has a tendency to stay silent when she
is supposed to speak has prompted some to speculate about she is
thinking -- thus effectively curtailing press freedom, said
Wimar, by limiting access to information.
"No government programs -- including those meant to combat
corruption, uphold the law, or curb human rights violations --
have yet been successful during this era of reform," he said.
"Upholding press freedom is the only chance left for the
government to achieve a success," Wimar said.
Megawati once revealed her uneasiness with the way the media
exercised its freedom regarding Vice President Hamzah Haz.
During National Press Day celebrations, Megawati urged members
of the media to promote solutions for the issues that they
criticized.
Since taking office last year, both the national and
international press which covered Megawati's activities have been
subjected to constant restrictions -- from dress code
requirements to mandatory technical guidelines when interviewing
her.
Megawati has also allowed her secretary, Kemal Munawar, to
issue a new regulation regarding the press. Its 14-point rules
ban journalists from door-stop interviews with either the
president or the vice president.
Any violation of these regulations results in strong reaction
from the Presidential Press Bureau, including revocation of a
press identity card or a ban from the Presidential Palace.
Commenting on Megawati's treatment to the press, veteran
journalist Atmakusumah Astraatmadja suggested that the President
at least promote hospitality while keeping a physical distance
with the press.
He noted that Sukarno, the country's first president, and
Megawati's father, used to invite journalists, regardless of
their reportage on his rule, to morning coffee at the palace to
build good relations.
"Megawati is a very inspiring figure, as she is the first
Indonesian woman to become the President. Even worldwide, there
are very few women who lead their countries.
"Should Megawati be reluctant to talk about complicated
matters, she can talk instead about non-political things with the
press," Atmakusumah said.