Who controls the media?

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