DON'T LET SOEHARTO OFF THE HOOK EVEN THOUGH HE'S ON THE DRIP
January 21st 2008 01:59
OVERDOSE OF REPORTS ON SOEHARTO’S MEDICAL CONDITION A SYMPATHY-GARNERING PLOY SAY INDONESIAN MEDIA EXPERTS
Asian media experts say purposely sympathetic coverage of former Indonesian strongman Soeharto's declining medical condition places balanced reportage into question.
The Jakarta Post reports that media observers and activists said the countless reports on Soeharto's ill health could evoke sympathy from the public, which would then lead to forgiveness over his alleged past crimes.
Chairman of the Alliance of Independent Journalists Heru Hendratmo said footage of Soeharto being carried on his bed through the hall, which depicted his weak condition and had been aired repeatedly by television stations, was a particular example.
"Pak Harto and his family get the most advantages of the 'over dose' of reports, which have somewhat ignored the condition of victims of his alleged crimes, including corruption and human rights abuses," Heru told The Jakarta Post, "We can't let this happen.
The Institute for Press and Development Studies, Ignatius Haryanto, said media coverage of Soeharto's illness "now purposely tended to evoke sympathy".
Communication and media expert Effendi Ghazali told the Jakarta Post the "sympathy-evoking coverage" could spark questions around the lack of balance in reportage.
He said, "Those who believe in the conspiracy theory will question media ownership."
The public may understandably wonder if Soeharto or his family is behind the media, he said.
Indonesian television stations including RCTI, TPI and Metro TV are connected either with Soeharto's family or his close companions.
A number of University of Indonesia graduates who are part of the 98 UI Big Family group said they wanted to remind the public of "the humanity destruction, the injustice and the under-development of people that took place during Soeharto's presidency and were results of his dictatorship".
The organisation said in a written statement: "The coverage on his illness has been intentionally aimed at making the public forgive Soeharto and blinding them to his past mistakes".
Soeharto's family lawyer Juan Felix Tampubolon told the Jakarta Post that during his several visits to the hospital, he had not heard Soeharto's family complain about the excessive media coverage.
Asian media experts say purposely sympathetic coverage of former Indonesian strongman Soeharto's declining medical condition places balanced reportage into question.
The Jakarta Post reports that media observers and activists said the countless reports on Soeharto's ill health could evoke sympathy from the public, which would then lead to forgiveness over his alleged past crimes.
Chairman of the Alliance of Independent Journalists Heru Hendratmo said footage of Soeharto being carried on his bed through the hall, which depicted his weak condition and had been aired repeatedly by television stations, was a particular example.
The Institute for Press and Development Studies, Ignatius Haryanto, said media coverage of Soeharto's illness "now purposely tended to evoke sympathy".
Communication and media expert Effendi Ghazali told the Jakarta Post the "sympathy-evoking coverage" could spark questions around the lack of balance in reportage.
He said, "Those who believe in the conspiracy theory will question media ownership."
The public may understandably wonder if Soeharto or his family is behind the media, he said.
Indonesian television stations including RCTI, TPI and Metro TV are connected either with Soeharto's family or his close companions.
A number of University of Indonesia graduates who are part of the 98 UI Big Family group said they wanted to remind the public of "the humanity destruction, the injustice and the under-development of people that took place during Soeharto's presidency and were results of his dictatorship".
Soeharto's family lawyer Juan Felix Tampubolon told the Jakarta Post that during his several visits to the hospital, he had not heard Soeharto's family complain about the excessive media coverage.
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