Perfunctory comments by experts

From Neraca

People are increasingly daring to speak up in this reform era. If such people are taxi drivers the repercussion of their talk only reaches their immediate circle and their passengers. However, if experts or observers speak up, especially on TV, what they say may form a public opinion.

If their comments are about things they know well, the public's knowledge will be enriched. On the other hand, if the comments lack substance and originality, the public will obtain no useful reference and will only become biased.

Take for example a macroeconomist who comments on microeconomics or a chicken vendor who tries to analyze the market of secondhand motorcycles. This can be done because to express oneself is a human right. However, if the comments from laypersons are presented on TV, the public may get the wrong perception of the problem presented.

The well-educated among the viewers are in a position to select information from the media. But the less initiated among the population digest all information in the media as truth.

Therefore, I appeal to experts and observers to refrain from commenting on matters outside their domain. If they talk at random they will mislead the people.

WANINDRA

Jakarta