Press freedom to be curtailed?
Press freedom to be curtailed?
President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid feels that the press no
longer deserves its freedom and, in many respects, needs to be
curtailed. Its coverage of presidential activities in particular
and those of the government in general are regarded as being
disadvantageous to the interests of the government.
The President has ordered the Minister of Justice and Human
Rights to prepare more stringent measures against journalists and
newspapers or magazines that do not reflect a favorable
impression of the President or of his presidential staff. In many
cases the media's reports are biased and statements or facts have
been twisted and falsely colored to suit sensational purposes.
Such is at least the assertion of the President.
The government believes that it is now time for legal action
to be taken against the perpetrators, such as putting the
journalists behind bars and banning the publications.
Understandably, the journalists' associations have reacted
angrily to such threats now that the press has been enjoying the
greatest freedom for some time. Banning newspapers and magazines
are not only considered by most journalists as undemocratic but
also against the ideals of reform.
A number of people contend that the media only reflects the
mood of the people which is now very critical of the President.
Under threat by the People's Consultative Assembly, in the form
of impeachment within less than one month's time, the government
has resorted to this unpopular measure to control the press.
If Gus Dur is serious about curbing the press's freedom under
the banner of democracy, with publications will be banned and
journalists arrested just because they are critical of the
President and his policies, the end really does seem near for
this administration.
The best policy for the government, and for the President for
that matter, is to deny whatever unfavorable rumors are
circulating and launch a counter attack through the many
presidential spokesmen and ministers.
It is a naked truth that the reformist movement initiated by
the students, which led to the fall of the dictatorial regime of
Soeharto, desired a democratic administration and to freely
breath the air of press freedom.
No political leader, including the military, would resort to
the curtailing of press freedom unless they had lost their mind.
The press must remain the partner of the government in imparting
reliable and balanced information to the general public. On the
contrary, making the media hostile is tantamount to political
suicide.
GANDHI SUKARDI
Jakarta