Two neighbors at odds

I read with keen interest Sukawarsini Djelantik's article on the Australian media as well as Dewi Anggraeni's analysis of the lack of mutual understanding between the Australian and Indonesian peoples (The Jakarta Post, Oct. 7). These pieces are exemplary attempts to create a political environment conducive to improving the two countries' relations. It gives me great relief that despite the seeming inaction of Jakarta and Canberra, efforts are being made by the public to shed light upon this diplomatic crisis.

I feel that in order to complement these writers' intentions, it has to be acknowledged that the Indonesian media has also played a significant role in influencing anti-Australian sentiments. This may not be apparent from observing newspapers such as the Post, whose contents are geared largely toward its foreign and expatriate readership. However, a glance through publications such as Republika and Gatra reveals that news coverage is often done with an overzealous nationalistic slant.

The growing freedom of the press has certainly benefited political reform. Yet, this trend can also have negative consequences. As different types of newspapers, tabloids and magazines saturate the market, sensationalizing news reports has apparently become an easy way out for some publishers desperate for increased readership. The lack of objectivity in reporting news only furthers ignorance among the people, especially considering that many Indonesians often still act on their emotions and are unable to think critically.

On a slightly different topic, I find it rather interesting that the Post printed Jim Aubrey's article on the opposite page of Sukawarsini's essay on the Australian media's lack of insight into Indonesian affairs. Although I do not necessarily oppose Aubrey's general point of view, his article reeks of emotional, self-righteous, patronizing and insensitive remarks as well as limited knowledge of the complexities surrounding Indonesian politics and nationhood. It is as if Sukawarsini's analysis was based on a reading of Audrey's article.

It is insensible for these neighboring nations to remain in such a poor state of relations. Unfortunately, domestic political conditions in both countries currently do not favor immediate solutions to the diplomatic tensions. Australian Prime Minister John Howard manipulates the East Timor issue to further his own political interest while, at the same time, government officials in Jakarta frequently use Australia as a scapegoat for all their mistakes and ineptitude in dealing with the crisis. In the middle of this all, the media in both countries is guilty for allowing itself to be manipulated by these self-interested politicians.

SANTO DARMOSUMARTO

Bekasi, West Java