New media carry government's message of political openness
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)