Press is third sociopolitical force: Expert

JAKARTA (JP): Observers agreed the criticism heaped on the Indonesian press recently came because its social and political clout has grown so much it has discomforted some parties.

Darmanto Jatman, a lecturer at the Semarang-based Diponegoro University's School of Psychology, said the press has become the third major force after the military and the bureaucracy.

Darmanto cited the press' role in the conflict between ousted chief of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) Megawati Soekarnoputri and government-backed ouster Soerjadi.

"The newspapers report daily about the chaos in the PDI under Soerjadi, so the public knows who's really fit to lead the party," Darmanto said.

Harsono Suwardi of the Jakarta-based University of Indonesia's School of Social and Political Sciences agreed the Indonesian press had indeed grown to be so powerful that reports influenced decision makers. Harsono, however, refused to rank the press as the third social force, believing that it should instead remain independent and exert control over the military and bureaucracy.

The two experts were commenting on President Soeharto's speech Monday which criticized the press for pitting the views of one leader against another and for exposing differences of opinion, a practice which Soeharto said would only confuse people and diminish their self-confidence.

Soeharto also rapped the press over the knuckles for exaggerated reporting on issues of economic disparity and poverty, something he said which could lead to rioting which could in turn destroy the social foundation and economy.

Only hours after Soeharto's speech, many others pounced on the press. Cabinet ministers and legislators alike contributed with their criticism or low opinion of the press.

Antara reported that Darmanto said one of the reasons the criticism came so hard and fast against the press was due to "power competition" in the bureaucracy, the military, and between intellectuals, including the press.

He cited the murder of Yogyakarta journalist Fuad Muhammad Syafruddin which was allegedly linked to a local regent's promise to pay Rp 1 billion (US423,370) to the Dharmais Foundation, led by President Soeharto, if he was reelected.

"The press has exerted pressure (on the authorities) in relation to (violence) in Situbondo, Singkawang, and Tasikmalaya," he said. "The press has been able to steer public opinion...there's a political strength in that."

"If the press makes a mistake, there will be multiple effects on the public, and the press knows this very well..knows the effects," he said. "This is probably why President Soeharto warned it against pitting different opinions against each other, which would only confuse the people."

Harsono agreed there were aspects to the Indonesian press that justified President Soeharto's criticism. "The press is so bombastic sometimes, it creates the impression that things are hopeless in Indonesia," he said. "Their reports influence decision makers."

"We all really hoped that the press would be more mature, and be able to tell what should be reported and what should not," he said. "The press should be objective, stating facts as facts."

"We really can't blame the elite for feeling that way about the press. Once the very top man (Soeharto) spoke out against the press, the others who had been holding grudges would certainly follow suit."

Harsono called on the press to be mindful of its original function, namely to be a body that helped control how the military and the bureaucracy ran the country. (swe)