Prove the accusation

OK, the deed is done, "that film" has been banned. The letters which have filled this column have at least served to show the true level of religious tolerance in Indonesia. The Jakarta Post offered an excellent commentary on this in its editorial of May 28, 1994. But in that same article the editors made a strong accusation against the Film Censorship Board.

Quote: "What is more saddening is the hypocrisy of it all. There are so many local films with similar, if not even worse, pornographic and sadistic scenes, which have been passed by the censors without any fuss whatsoever."

I believe the Post's editors should not make such a strong accusation unless they also show proof of these charges. That proof should answer these questions: What are the titles of these films? How are they sadistic or pornographic? Who produced them? What was the vote tally on each film by the members of the censorship board? What were the reasons given by members for allowing these films to be shown?

Only by asking these questions and examining the answers given to them, can The Jakarta Post back up its claim that locally- produced films are sadistic and pornographic and that the Film Board of Censors passes such films, without fuss, as suitable for screening.

It is not good journalism to write vague, generalized attacks.

MICHAEL LAWSON

Yogyakarta