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Indonesia President Gives Media Good and Bad Report
Natasua Christy Wahyuni, Farouk Arnaz & Rizky Amelia | February 10, 2012

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono delivers his speech during National Press Day 2011 in Jambi on Thursday. (Antara Photo/Andika Wahyu) President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono delivers his speech during National Press Day 2011 in Jambi on Thursday. (Antara Photo/Andika Wahyu)
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donQidic
1:57am Feb 11, 2012

Blah blah ad infinitum.....Just tragic that SBY doesn't "walk the talk"

markjuliansmith
5:58pm Feb 10, 2012

Given the 'truth' 'Press Freedom in Indonesia is in reality some 83% less than it should be and has fallen significantly, 25% in just one year surely any more encouragement by Education and Culture Minister Mohammad Nuh would be catastrophic for 'Press Freedom' - begs the question what 'improvement' means in an Islamic State - zero 'Press Freedom'?

Those 'concrete' shoes Nuh supplied are not helping. Aceh violence not Religious based now there is 'spreading the ministry’s program.'.

Prepare the Platinum medal for next year clearly Education and Culture Minister Mohammad Nuh is an exemplary exponent as was his namesake of Islamic Press Freedom - a proud day for accountability beating Islamic Iran to the bottom of the heap.

blightyboy
6:59am Feb 10, 2012

Have to agree, but above all the press have a responsibility to seek out the truth, not to avoid any issues, and be courageous.

“That would make the people become cynical and sceptical and they would blame the government, or even the nation,” Yudhoyono said.

Of course the people should look at Yodhoyono's government with cynicism. The government is mostly criminally corrupt, has failed to support the people by fighting for human rights and democracy, and constantly demonstrates cowardice, as has the President.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has failed the people, is failing the people, and this be reported.


padt
5:06am Feb 10, 2012

I find this a bit rich - SBY lecturing the press about 'balanced' reporting - when only two days ago a member of his own party urged the Democrats not to tell the press anything that could damage the party but conceal anything that was bad news. How's that for balance.

As for suggesting that the media should refrain from reporting anything contentious that might add to worsening conditions - well that's a two edge sword.

There are some things that should be exposed because they are evidence of a mentality amongst some in the community that goes: "Don't aggravate us! Don't offend us! Don't suggest anything bad about us! Above all don't you dare suggest that we are violent! Otherwise we will reacte violently and you will only have yourselves to blame."

To give into these thugs is a cop out.

SBY just wants a tamed media.

Well, he hasn't got one, despite everything Tiffy and his ilk would like to do.

SBY was right about one thing. The media and the public are 'critical'. With good cause.

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President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Thursday reminded the media of its responsibility to safeguard the integrity of journalism as he reiterated the need for press freedom.

Addressing the celebration  of National Press Day 2012 in Jambi, Yudhoyono recognized the press’s unique power to influence the government and inform the public.

He said the press should strive for balanced reporting that doesn’t constantly push toward the bad or good, since that would only bring about public distrust.

“That would make the people become cynical and sceptical and they would blame the government, or even the nation,” Yudhoyono said.

Yudhoyono said that besides serving as a means for social control over the government, the press should monitor the circumstances of ordinary people.

“Our society now is very critical in observing balance in news reporting,” the president said.

The media, he added, should help build a peaceful atmosphere by refraining from reporting anything that might only worsen conditions.

His comments come after a spate of violent incidents across the country, many at protests or disputes over land. These events often involved mobs of civilians as well as law enforcers and security personnel.

The Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) used the occasion to present  Education and Culture Minister Mohammad Nuh with the Gold Medal for Press Freedom for his consistency in providing concrete support to the improvement of journalists’ professionalism.

“For me, there is no reason to hinder the work of journalists in getting or seeking information because in reality they are partners in communicating and spreading the ministry’s program,” Nuh said. The medal was given for his role as Communication and Informatics Minister in 2007-2009.

In his current position, Nuh will also provide scholarships for three journalists who won a writing competition held to mark National Press Day.

The Spirit of Journalism Award was also presented to respected veteran press activist Atmakusumah Astraatmadja.

Meanwhile, National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Muhammad Taufik said his institution would move fast to promote a memorandum of understanding signed with the Press Council on Thursday regarding the settlement of press disputes.

“We will enhance education and training as well as the socialization of the content of the MoU so that the people and the police know about it,” Taufik said.

The MoU is geared toward ending controversy regarding disputes caused by reports in the press. Under the MoU, the police are supposed to let the Press Council decide whether an allegation against a press report should be dealt with under the Press Law or the Penal Code.

The Press Council will also exhaust all avenues of discussion and out-of-court settlements before recommending a case be followed up in court.

Indonesia has come under fire recently for the state of press freedom. A recent global comparative study by Reporters Without Borders found it had dropped to 146th position in 2011 down from 117th a year earlier.

Additional reporting from Suara Pembaruan and Antara