News on Indonesia

News on Indonesia

From Kompas

It has gradually dawned on me that the foreign media's method and style of reporting on Indonesia still reflect the prejudices and superiority of the old days vis-a-vis a developing nation. Exaggeration also characterizes those foreign reports.

In their analysis of recent happenings, they focus on riots taking place in several places, with one-sided comments blaming the government. The impression is that they have not tried to obtain countercomments from their objects of derision.

Comments on Indonesia generally come from foreign "experts". Evaluations by Indonesian experts are rarely included.

Foreign television stations are wont to repeatedly broadcast the less pleasant aspects of events, thus creating an overall negative impression, to the detriment of Indonesia.

If such reports were questioned, the reply would probably be that the lack of credible sources in Indonesia was the cause of the one-sided reports.

The control of the contents and the method of reporting on Indonesia, mainly by the foreign media, is perhaps more than difficult, in other words, just impossible. However, accurate reporting and use of background data of events by local and foreign media could at least renege the excuse that "there is no data/information from authorized sources".

I am convinced that our side has taken those steps, perhaps by measuring their effectiveness, detecting weaknesses and other aspects. The analysis of reports on Indonesia will, at least, lead to steps taken to maximize the endeavors toward balanced reporting.

RIZAL MARIS

Jakarta