Senior journalists cool on Mega's address

Senior journalists cool on Mega's address

Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali

Senior journalists listened to President Megawati Soekarnoputri's
address on National Press Day with cool heads as she retorted in
response to criticisms about herself and her administration.

H. Rosihan Anwar, popularly known as a third-generation
journalist, played down the President's address as unremarkable.

"The President's speech was ordinary....nothing very specific.
I listened to her speech without any enthusiasm," he said when
asked to comment on the President's speech during the celebration
of National Press Day held in Denpasar on Sunday.

In her address, Megawati hit out at the press again, saying
the press should be professional and conscientious in exercising
press freedom.

Previously, the President also accused certain media of trying
to create political instability by criticizing her
administration's policies.

Mohammad Jaffar Assegaf, former chief editor of Media
Indonesia, regretted Megawati's failure to develop a better
relationship with the press, saying she did not realize that she
was the leader of a large nation.

"Of course, Megawati delivered her speech in her usual
manner...in responding to harsh criticisms from the press. But, I
actually expected that Megawati, as the head of the nation, would
act in a low-profile way, which would implicitly express her
willingness to listen to the media, opinions and to see how far
the problems faced by the people were revealed in the media.

"Megawati, in her capacity as President, did not act
accordingly, she acted as if she was not the leader of the
people. She did not even greet the audience... She did not
inherit the charm, the charisma of her own father (Indonesia's
first president Soekarno).

"I clearly remember how Soekarno stopped by and greeted the
crowds and chatted with the cheering people. Megawati never said
hello to her audience... Look at American President George W.
Bush. He is so warm towards the audience. We need a communicative
leader, especially in this time of crisis," he said.

Surya Paloh, owner of Metro TV station, criticized Megawati's
speech as a reflection of her inability to connect with the
press.

"Through her speech, it seems that Megawati is not yet able to
effectively communicate with the press community. But, at least
she is trying to understand the press's concerns and problems."

Sabam Siagian, former chief editor of The Jakarta Post,
appreciated the President's straightforwardness and said, "I was
proud to listen to the speech delivered by the chairman of the
Indonesian Press Association (during the ceremony). On the other
hand, President Megawati was also straightforward. She is
fighting back (against media criticism)."

He said further that the event should be followed up by
specific meetings between the President and several people of the
press to discuss any problems the nation was facing.

"I am glad to hear these speeches. But if they only stopped
here, it would be very ineffective, especially in heading towards
the coming General Election in 2004. Campaigns will start in the
near future, Megawati could separate her role as the president
and the party leader (she is the chairwoman of the Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle, PDI Perjuangan). Until the end of
2003, she must speak to the people as the head of the nation.
Starting in 2004, she can start talk as the PDI Perjuangan
leader," he added.

Atmakusumah Astraatmaja, chairman of the Indonesian Press
Council, called on Megawati to clarify all the faults of the
press that led her to be emotional in dealing with the press.

"For me, Megawati is not expressive. But, it is common for
whoever is in power to be too sensitive over media coverage which
focus on contentious issues such as demonstrations," he said.