Freedom vs Dignity: The challenge of Indonesia’s Press
BAGUS BT. SARAGIH
Indonesia’s press today may have reached its freedom on a great level. Comparing to the situation in the New Order era, journalists nowadays are far more unhampered.
There is no more intervention from the government as well as threat to the media which are considered against the government. Reporters are able to write anything they judge as news. Media companies are also growing significantly as there is no permit needed any longer.
This freedom is also causing the variety of media. People now can be informed not only from paper, but also from extensively growing TV and internet.
Years ago, people could get news only when they were at home and read newspaper. Now, people can notice news events from the internet right which is now can be accessed from cellular phones, anytime, anywhere. In fact, no need to find news any longer. The news can come through a news SMS service, for example.
Is this what the press people really want? Or, is it just uncontrolled euphoria?
On one hand, press can not have its real function as a balancing control without freedom. But on the other hand, abusing press freedom means deteriorating its dignity.
Many public figures or politicians complain about press. Yes, they just can complain but not interfere.
It may not a surprise, because today, many media tend to prioritize the attraction of the news over the quality. It also comes up because of market issue. The more they can steal people attention, the more money will come into their pocket. The growing competition among media companies is likely to lead them into that situation.
In many cases, these reasons cause the reduction of the quality of news. In fact, some of the media sacrifices ethic in order to win the market. Gossip TV programs are put on prime time, while news programs are put on late night or very early in the morning. Editors would rather place sensational news on the first page while other more publicly news are put on the inside pages. Sometimes they manipulate a little in order to be more bombastic.
War among the media tends to make them give greater attention about market issues. Meanwhile, they seem to disregard that media has a main duty to criticize the government. Ethics are often avoided, facts are cheated. The Press Council has a lot of jobs everyday. This is likely to happen greater day by day.
Where is the press’ dignity going today? Can press be beaten by money? Can journalists be controlled by market? Idealists would say: NO! So how can we defend our dignity but keep making money? Because, without money, media can not survive.
The answer is creativity. By being creative, media can get attention but not breaking its ethic. The diversity of media today is actually a trigger for media people to exploit creativity. So don’t be lazy, be creative. Let’s make National Press Day today as an initiation of creative journalistic.
Tags: journalist, media, press, reporter, wartawan
Greetings from Ubud,
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There is obviously a lot to know about this. I think you made some good points in Features also.
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bagus-saragih.com – cool!!!!
Thanks for writing, I very much liked your newest post. I think you should post more frequently, you evidently have natural ability for blogging!
OMG…totally!
You think everything sounds like existentialism.
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Hi, interest post. I’ll write you later about few questions!
very informative article… I would like to use a piece of this on my blog, is that feasible?
Nice writing mate… It’s a bloody tough issue for a media, as there is only a very thine red line between writing made of integrity as well as dignity, and writing when the mode of survival is ON.
Nonetheless, the idea of being creative might be the sole solution, let alone the quality of all parties involved. I do agree on that!
After all, we write not because we want to write, but we write because we have something to tell.
On ya for the great winning award mate…!!
Thanks for your attention, Sam. A bit late to reply though, sorry for that LOL.
Keep on writing for you too, buddy.
Good luck!