Suggestion for letters column

Suggestion for letters column

There is little doubt that the readership of The Jakarta Post
is drawn from an influential segment of Indonesian society. Thus
"Your Letters" should be an important forum for exchange of views
and ideas. Unfortunately, too often it seems to have degenerated
into more of a slinging match! Are there others who would like to
see this space generating a more positive return?

Clearly we need to have a realistic appreciation of what can
be achieved. But if we take a positive approach to the challenges
which greet us every day, it may be that we can identify
solutions which the government might be willing to consider. And
I believe we could take a lead in certain areas, where example is
more important than regulation.

I submit that "Your Letters" could play a more significant
role in this process. You might, for instance, be willing to
forward translations of certain letters to the appropriate body
for comment. Letters in the vernacular press do generate
responses from spokesmen of government bodies; I'm sure they
would be willing to respond to our letters if the language
problem could be overcome.

Although the Indonesian press is not yet ready to emulate the
investigative reporting of its western counterparts (and that's
not all bad), you could afford to be a little more adventurous.
Letters sometimes raise intriguing subjects, which have cried out
for further research, even, in some cases, requested it; rarely
has this followed. Perhaps you fear opening Pandora's Box, but
frequently the risk seems small, and benefit of a more lively
letters page has been lost.

While we sometimes enjoy reading letters sent to your
colleagues in other newspapers, I'm sure you'd prefer to fill
this space with letters from your own readers. Perhaps this would
even allow you to be more selective in the letters you do print.
Any thoughts on how this might be achieved?

It may be that there are some readers who disagree with my
views, or take issue with my use of the language. If this be the
case, I do hope that I may be treated with more tolerance and
courtesy than has sometimes been the case in such situations.

CHRIS W. GREEN

Jakarta