N

o matter where you are in the world, the right to comment should be the same, but of course it isn'€™t.

People often become offended if an outsider criticizes their country and can become angry to a point where they consider the outsider has no right to an opinion. In some countries there are topics that are totally taboo and others that have the door wide open (at least to a degree).

Nationalism has always been used and abused, religion much the same, and as for politics, you would need to be in the gutter to speak on that one.

A lot of people comment or offer an opinion based on little facts, which is not all that surprising in a world that plays its cards close to its chest.

The mushroom syndrome is perhaps not quite the case, but there is little doubt that the truth of many things is hard to find. There is also likely to be more than one truth, and there will be situation where the lesser of two evils prevails.

Freedom of speech will be found in a healthy and open environment where the right to comment is not only encouraged but is also listened to, but such places are few and far between.

Indonesia is a good example of a country that invites criticism mainly because there are so many failures and so many opportunities and all of us (locals and foreigners) are involved in some of those.

In understanding human nature it is obvious that some people will never rock the boat for reasons of self-interest, whereas others may take the bull by the horn and wade into whatever the problem is.

With access to social networking flooding the country, people should first learn to use it wisely as input is not just the number of '€œtweets'€ but more to do with the value of the content.

Westerners have been commenting on events for well over 100 years and, therefore, '€œReaders Forum'€ or '€œopinion pages'€ are a part of their daily lives whereas Indonesians in comparison are relatively new to the freedom game, but they are quick learners and should make best use of the opportunities.

But no matter the opinion, people should first and foremost evaluate their intended reply to ensure (as best they can) that their own comments are well thought out, constructive and worthwhile.

With the election coming up next year, Indonesia is virtually at a crossroads, as it is a country that desperately needs change but cannot find the people to initiate this transformation.

Social networking and the right to comment are the way forward if people in this country have the courage of their convictions and the necessary endurance to monitor the hopeful candidates.

David Wallis
Medan