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row between Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam and the national press has worsened after the top government official said he plans to report Metro TV to the Press Council and the National Broadcasting Commission in response to the news channel’s legal move against him last week.

The unwanted court settlement could have been avoided had Dipo demonstrated his statesmanship by offering an apology for his blatant abuse of power. Dipo started the fire during a media conference when he threatened to boycott media outlets that were critical of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. He also called on government agencies to stop placing advertisements with Metro TV, Media Indonesia and TVOne and to block access for their journalists.

Albeit controversial, such statements would go unchallenged and be implemented under the New Order. But that regime changed over a decade ago. Dipo may not have been aware of this, or perhaps decided to ignore the reality of the freedom of the press Indonesia has staunchly advocated. In a country that claims to be the third largest democracy in the world, the government, or any other force, cannot infringe upon the freedom that distinguishes us from authoritarian states.

The press can play its role as the fourth pillar of democracy only if it can exercise its freedom, which can manifest in criticism or accolade when necessary.

Intimidation against the press is therefore an anachronism in this democratic era, but there is a chance for it to be taken for granted if Dipo goes “unpunished” because other officials or people with power or money might follow suit.

What would be more worrying than Dipo enjoying impunity, or even receiving a morale boost, is the possibility for the government to resist — and in turn stifle — criticism. The fact that Dipo is showing no remorse may indicate not only his self confidence, but also support from fellow government officials. If dragged out, the situation could steer the government and the media into an energy-sapping, unnecessary head-on collision.

Dipo may claim to have represented his own thoughts when he launched the attack on the media, but the public would easily associate him with the Yudhoyono administration. As Dipo’s direct superior, the President cannot remain silent. He instead must take action against the Cabinet Secretary for bringing his government to disrepute.

The government’s hostility against its critics, whomever they may be, will turn the clock back to the past when the authoritarian regime ruled the country. It’s difficult to imagine Indonesia restoring the old days while on the other side of the world, particularly in the Middle East, people are clamoring for freedom of expression.

Needless to say, the media are not perfect and therefore need close supervision from the public, otherwise they will manipulate facts for certain interests or agendas. In this era of liberty, the public has the luxury of reserving the benefit of the doubt when it comes to news broadcast or published by media outlets. This is necessary, because despite their claims of independence, the nation’s media outlets are owned by politically-wired businessmen.

Dipo, either as an official or individual, has the right to suspect a certain media outlet of being biased, but a fair arrangement through the Press Council to prove his suspicion is available without having to resort to intimidation or threats.

Such mediation is highly-recommended, although it failed to mend fences between Dipo and the three media outlets last week. An apology from Dipo would be the most graceful exit from this dispute, or else it could blow itself out of proportion.