Press faces uphill battle covering graft cases

Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The local mass media's efforts to cover corruption cases are faced with many challenges, including the use of violence, despite the nationwide anti-hoodlumism drive.

During a discussion here on Thursday, some journalists from various media across the country shared their bitter experiences following up on their news reports on corruption.

"I witnessed people ransacking the office of a tabloid in protest against news in the media about alleged corruption involving a local figure," said a journalist from South Sumatra.

Another journalist also revealed that "certain people" often threatened to attack journalists or their offices following their reports on corruption cases, most of which implicated public figures or local government officials.

Sadly, scholar George Junus Aditjondro said that physical threats were not the only ones facing journalists and the press who cover corruption cases.

"Currently, there is a tendency for business tycoons, government officials or politicians to buy media companies in a bid to ensure that the media will help cover up possible corruption cases involving them," he said.

The business moguls, George said, might step into the newsroom of their media company to blow up corruption cases involving their rivals or to cover up cases against them or their cronies.

"It does not happen only in print or electronic media, but also online media," he said.

There is also a tendency for people who are connected to corruption cases to file defamation lawsuits against journalists -- or their media -- who report on the case.

"Media companies and journalists are afraid of being sued," said a journalist.

Poor law enforcement has discouraged the country's efforts to eradicate corruption, he added.

The Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) has said that corruption has become worse as now, they involve not only government officials, but also the judiciary.

Despite the fall of Soeharto's corrupt regime in 1998, graft cases have instead become more widespread and numerous, ICW said.

"The rampant corruption of the past was more centralized because of Soeharto's power, but the current administration has promoted corruption in the spirit of mutual cooperation," the corruption watchdog said.

George said the media and journalists should play a leading role in the fight against corruption.

"As a source of information, the mass media generates public awareness. There is no other way for the media to fight corruption but to join forces with other elements, such as non- governmental organizations or certain officials who are considered clean," he said.

Despite his distrust in the government, George still expects it to play a role in the eradication of corruption by proposing a bill that would give the media access to public information, including public officials' tax records.

The House is currently deliberating the bill on freedom of information.

George suggested that journalists continue to encourage public awareness and public opinion against corruption.

"People will always look for such a story," added George, asking journalists to improve their knowledge and analytical skills regarding corruption cases.