Letter: Control by the media

I refer to the following quotation: "The broadcasting of wiretapped recordings made by KPK, revealing an alleged conspiracy to frame its deputy chairmen, was a good example of the media carrying out its function to keep the public informed," Indonesian Broadcasting Commission chief Sasa Juarsa Sendjaja said. ("TV serves democracy, says watchdog", The Jakarta Post, Nov. 21)

Another good example of the media keeping the public informed was the live broadcast of the prosecutors' indictment of former KPK chief Antasari Azhar. Thanks to this broadcast, the public could see how law enforcers used sex and sleaze to shock the public into responding emotionally and disengaging from rational thought. However, Indonesians have shown that they are no longer so easily fooled. They have seen through the lies and smokescreen the police and prosecutors have created as transparently as if looking through a window.

Through this broadcast, the media have reminded us that Indonesians now live in a democracy, where they have the sovereign power to judge for themselves the integrity of the justice system. They are no longer to be treated as small children, as they were in Soeharto's era, and won't accept news censorship and media manipulation. Perhaps Indonesian Broadcasting Commission chief Sasa Juarsa Sendjaja finished his speech by praising the broadcast of the Antasari trial.

John Hargreaves
Jakarta