New media carry government's message of political openness
Two newcomers to the print media have won reputations for daring reporting, registering phenomenal growth in the process. The one-year-old weekly tabloid Detik boasts a circulation of 450,000 and the three-year-old bi-weekly magazine Forum Keadilan more than 100,000. Noted communications expert Jakob Oetama, the general manager of Kompas daily, examines this phenomenon in an interview with The Jakarta Post.
Q: How do you see the phenomenal growth of Detik and Forum Keadilan?
A: They have certainly gone beyond the normal growth of print media. Hence, it is worthwhile to take a closer look at why.
In fact, a more open political climate is in the offing now as a result of changes in our society over the last 25 years. These changes are both the result of our plans as well as outside influences. One of those changes is a growing demand from the people to take part in development, to express themselves and to know more about development.
Q: So, could we say the launchings of those two magazines were timely?
A: Yes, the launchings were timely. That is the decisive factor. The existence of the media coincided with a growing need by the people to have their aspirations heard. The second thing is that in the climate of political openness, albeit still a "selective" openness, but that is how the process should be, there are limitations, there are some domains we fear to tread in. But in a selective way there has been a wider openness.
It is in this climate that the two media together with other media, have zeroed in on issues within these limitations. A close look at those issues reveals that they are controversial and thus are attractive because they touch on not only the levers of power and the economy but also on human life and human problems. They are about more than human interest. Examples of these are the Ria Irawan case, the Marsinah case, the leadership reshuffle in ABRI and the Bapindo bank fraud.
They are controversial, forcing people to have to guess and all of them have an element of tension.
The Bapindo case seems to be the climax of all these issues. You have human tragedy, top officials and public figures, numerous issues that lead one to think about collusion, a stake in the nation's economy -- all the elements that make up an interesting story.
Q: And these two media exploit these issues?
A: The media, especially these two media, cleverly exploit them and are intuitive in tapping issues such as these. But, while presenting these issues which are imbued with elements of tension, controversy and attractiveness, they also initiate a psychological effect in the political domain which in turn institutes a wider political openness.
Hence there have been two reasons. One, the existence of a media whose character matches that of the new needs of the people and the breaking of controversial issues. In short, a combination of sociological, psychological and political elements.
Q: Any other reason?
A: Now, the third reason is the way they consciously present those issues in a more direct way, and in a new color, devoid of euphemism and pretentious language. Hence, it creates an effect of transparency. More importantly, this approach attempts to free the press from old habits of reporting.
Q: What does that mean?
A: In the past 25 years a pattern of reporting which emphasized ewuh pakewuh (politeness) has been molded and later became a kind of cultural and psychological trap to journalists. A politeness developed that bordered on fear of scratching the skin of top officials, leading to things being said in indirect ways.
Before long this pattern carried them away so far that it killed or eroded the press' dynamic capacity, transparency and effectiveness.
These two media provide a kind of catharsis for the people and this is exactly what the people want.
People ask why should we call "price hike" an attempt to "correspond" (menyesuaikan) the price of a commodity? The prices of goods are rising anyway, so call it a price hike.
The fourth reason is this style of reporting is amplified by the character of a tabloid.
In any country, a tabloid is imbued with elements of drama in its reporting. It is more naked, so to say, it has no "brassiere" compared to other forms of print media and this makes it even more attractive with a more dynamic character although it leaves more impression than substance.
Q: How do the two media affect other print media?
A: Other print media, including those "established" ones, have to change their product accordingly if they do not want to be left behind. They have to abandon their old habits of reporting. Analyzed seriously, it is because the two media have seized upon changes in the society.
Q: So the impact is a positive one?
A: It is positive. Moreover, the advent of the electronic media, especially television which is more dynamic, more immediate and more entertaining has jolted the print media.
But the impact can also be negative because the "sensational" reporting element of a tabloid might negate the many aspects of a given issue whereas the public's growing demand is for a comprehensive understanding of the issue. (hbk)