Press credentials

Two years ago, the chief problem confronting the Indonesian media was a lack of freedom. Now that the media enjoys so much freedom, its main problem, at least as seen from the outside, is a lack of ethics among journalists.

The growing number of complaints, some bordering on violence, attests to the public discontent with the way the media in this country has used, or rather abused, its new-found freedom. While some complaints could be attributed to the inability of people in public office to take criticism, others were valid objections to the reckless behavior of journalists.

Indeed, the most common problem found in today's media is the failure of journalists to get the facts right. Whether by design or by mistake, more and more journalists are violating the most sacred principle of the profession: tell the truth.

It was against this background that the Foundation of Independent Journalists and the Press Council organized a conference on ethics in journalism in Jakarta on Tuesday. After two years of watching press freedom flourish in the country, it is probably now time to raise a pertinent question that journalists often ask of others: to whom are they accountable?

Currently, journalists in Indonesia are accountable to no one but themselves and their proprietors. The ministry of information, through which the previous government controlled the press, was abolished by President Abdurrahman Wahid upon taking office in October. Gone also is the licensing mechanism which allowed the government to muzzle a critical press. A new press law, which guarantees freedom and promises severe punishment for those who obstruct the profession, was also put in place over the past year.

After more than three decades of living under a tyranny and strict press controls, journalists in Indonesia could not have asked for more. Yet, accountability is essential to guarantee that democracy in this country is sustainable. Freedom without accountability can be a very dangerous thing, especially in the wrong hands. While we are not calling for a resumption of control over the press, there is indeed a strong case to demand journalists put their own house in order. Better they do it themselves before order is imposed on them. This is a pressing homework for media proprietors and professional organizations.

We have already seen some disturbing signs from members of society unhappy with the way journalists abuse their freedom. The occupation of the Jawa Pos office in Surabaya was an example of the public taking the law into its own hands in settling a score with a newspaper. Many who seek to resolve their grievances in a more civil way, such as through legal channels or the Press Council, often find the resolution wanting, not because of the law but because of shortcomings in its enforcement, a common problem in Indonesia.

Unless journalists are more careful and show greater wisdom in using their freedom, there is bound to be more public backlash against the media and against the profession. Having fought for so long to win their freedom, journalists are in danger of squandering their privileges if they continue to behave recklessly. Society giveth and society taketh. The media's freedom was won two years ago with the support of society, and this same society can withdraw its support if it feels the press has abused its freedom. Some segments of society already are pressuring the authorities to reimpose press controls.

In all fairness, unethical behavior is a common problem in most professions in this country. Lawyers, bureaucrats, businesspeople and politicians are as guilty, if not more so, as journalists. But this is no excuse for journalists not to observe their code of ethics. If they still consider themselves the vanguard of reform, journalists must lead the way.