Role of the press

If there is one thing the speaker of the House of Representatives is known for, it is his straightforward statements. Given his reputation, it is not surprising that some of the most pointed criticism of the Indonesian press delivered by a top-ranking public figure has come from our respected House Speaker, Wahono.

In essence, as reported by Antara, Wahono -- while addressing the opening session of the nation's legislature yesterday -- called on the Indonesian press to step up its role in educating the public so that Indonesians will be in a better position to monitor and control the actions of high state institutions effectively. He said this is important in order to guarantee the public's confidence in the effectiveness of these institutions.

In reference to often heard criticism that the House of Representatives seems ineffective in controlling government actions and policies, Wahono said the House's leadership is paying great attention to President Soeharto's recent statement, which, in essence, urged the press to help ensure that the nation's legislature is not disparaged by the public.

"Now is the time for the press to step forward and act. Communicate every step that is made by the executive, legislative and even the judiciary branches with the greatest possible transparency, for what it is worth, and with a news-behind-the- news by way of setting forth information about the conduct of the House factions and the party executive boards which control them," Wahono said.

According to Wahono, the President, as the chief executive, and the House of Representatives, as his equal partner, have already paved the way towards establishing greater openness. To the press, he said, belongs the task of exposing with greater transparency the behavior of leaders in all the various strata of society's leadership, "from top to bottom".

All of this, Wahono said, is part of the role of the press as educator of the people. He warned that this role will be evaluated for its historic merits by the younger generation which may ask: Has the press of today performed its role with heroism or is it merely a press of survival?

The central idea presented by the House speaker in his address yesterday is, of course, not really new. The press has long felt the need for greater leeway in information gathering and reporting, if it is to play its roles in society properly. Up to a few decades ago, conditions may have warranted tight control of the press for the sake of preserving stability, which is necessary for development.

Stability, of course, is still imperative for development. Proponents of greater freedom, however, have argued that the old restrictions and overly heavy emphasis on the responsibility aspect of the press -- as opposed to that of freedom -- may not necessarily work under present circumstances. A new generation of Indonesians has emerged. In matters that are of importance to them, Indonesians are no longer as trusting as they were just a few decades ago.

People are no longer satisfied with one-sided statements or explanations. Three decades of political and social education have honed their sense of justice and fairness. Here, the press may be able to bridge the differences that could occasionally arise between the authorities and the public and thus actually help preserve stability.

This cannot be accomplished by concealing undesirable facts -- which is difficult to do in this age of information -- but by satisfying the public conscience through balanced reporting and comments.

Admittedly, it may take some work to find that new balance. As the situation continues to change, trial and error may be unavoidable. However, we feel that the end -- which is continued development towards the realization of a just and prosperous Indonesia -- is worth the effort. As House speaker Wahono said, criticism and correction of low-integrity behavior is necessary, lest we make a mockery of the lofty humanitarian ideas that are contained in our state philosophy, Pancasila.