The press and Megawati

The press and Megawati

It is by now a well known fact that President Megawati
Soekarnoputri -- as evidenced by her incessant complaints -- has
been very upset with the nation's press. The situation between
Megawati and the press seems to be heating up instead of cooling
off.

Nonetheless, State Minister of Communications and Information
Syamsul Muarif claimed that Megawati's presence at the
commemoration of National Press Day in Bali on Sunday would be a
time for reconciliation.

But, what would we say if there was something in the press
which made the President uneasy? Shall we blame the media alone?

Megawati said in her address in Bali that the media must be
able to use its freedom in a professional way. Only with
professionalism could the press develop mutual respect and
maintain balanced reports. "We all hope that the press can
develop its role and function based on its conscience, wisdom and
politeness," the President said.

Conscience, wisdom and politeness could be the barometer used
by the President to judge the media.

Press reports, people say, reflect what is going on in the
society. So if the press reports are said to abandon conscience,
wisdom and politeness, it means that our people are lacking
conscience, wisdom and politeness.

Frankly, not only the President is uneasy with what is going
on in our society. The people and the professional press have
also been deeply worried by what has been going on among us.

What kind of conscience do we have when we let corruption
continue? What kind of conscience do we have when we retain our
leadership position while we are a convicted criminal?

We must acknowledge that some of us in the media have
published 'excessive reports'. The materials for publication must
be properly selected before being served to the public. In this
way, there will be nothing to worry about.

-- Harian Ekonomi Neraca, Jakarta