Who controls the media?
I would like to add some thoughts to Arya Gunawan's excellent article titled Indonesian Press: Walking a tightrope" (The Jakarta Post, May 14, 2002).
The end of Soeharto's New Order era in May 1998 was, at the same time, the beginning of the free press era in Indonesia. After three decades of censorship of the press, it was foreseeable that the administrations of B.J. Habibie, Abdurrahman Wahid and Megawati Soekarnoputri would have some difficulties to deal with press freedom. For instance, they feel uncomfortable with the thought that it is the media's duty to control the activities performed by the government. Those politicians are in one way or another, more or less "children" of Soeharto; maybe that explains it. Therefore, I hope that the course of time and a true commitment of the younger generation toward freedom of the press will promote a better understanding and a more trustful relationship between the government and the media.
But over the past year, I have observed a development that might jeopardize such hopes: The growing influence of the media on political affairs. The media have the power and the ability to guide their readers, listeners or viewers toward a particular perspective, which they wish to advance, and to influence the course of political events. The media have also an enormous influence over voting behavior at election times.
There are signs in Indonesia that certain media owners, co- owners or editors are using their powerful position to advance their respective political, religious or ethnical concerns, for instance by selective coverage of events. In addition, an increasing tendency toward cross-media ownership may erode the diversity of the media, which is regarded as essential in a liberal democracy. In this context, one should not underestimate those wealthy media owners who use the fortune they have amassed during the Soeharto era to regain political influence.
To avoid any misunderstanding, there is nothing wrong if the media promote particular political parties or politicians; this is common practice in all democratic countries, however it shouldn't get out of proportion. But if it gets out of proportion, who then controls the media?
HILDE MAY
Jakarta