Propaganda journalism

When journalists converge on Bali for the Global Inter-Media Dialog, American journalism and the media came under fire for engagement in propaganda practices. The subject immediately stole my attention. After 9/11, the US media used new terminologies which often blurred the real picture of what is happening in other countries where the main religion is Islam. The frequent use of terms such as Islamophobia, fundamentalism, war on terror and Islamic terrorists, Islamic fascists etc. had great influence in shaping wrong perception about Muslims and Islam (who invented those terms?). It’s biased and on the part of the journalists, its really unprofessional. I want to call it propaganda reporting designed to cause misperception, hatred and discrimination against other countries, peoples and cultures. In the late 1970s, a professor at Duke University, North Carolina and a lectures at George Washington University told me that most journalists in the US were well-trained, highly educated and most came from respected middle class American families. In their profession, they possessed a high degree of respect for code of ethics, confidentiality, people’s rights and most of all, high-standard of accuracy. US-style journalism gained credibility and became a model for the world. But after US President George W. Bush came to power, the quality of journalism declined. The US media became the propaganda arm of the US Government (“either you’re with us or with the terrorists!”). It is biased, unbalanced and at times misleading when it comes to reporting reporting on other countries, cultures, values and religion. Regretfully, and at many times unaware, the journalists resort to propaganda journalism, lacking social responsibility, tolerance of other cultures and accuracy. An example of propaganda reporting is the kidnapping of Israeli soldier, Corporal Gilad Shalit, in a raid by Palestinians. There was no press reports except in the Turkish media which pointed to the truth that it was the Israelis first who kidnapped Palestinians. It was propaganda journalism designed to turn the facts around. The account was confirmed by Gore Vidal and twelve other journalists who put up a petition against propaganda reporting (who doesn’t believe him?). During the Iraq war, propaganda journalism was widely practiced such as in the case of portraying civilian casualties as terrorists. In Israel and in North Korea, propaganda reporting is common. In this part of the world, the most recent example of propaganda journalism is the case of Timor Leste President Ramos Horta’s allegations that Indonesians were involved in an assassination bid on his life (he still owes Indonesia an apology, publicly, at least in the media). The Australian journalists may have felt uncomfortable and unaware that they have been used for propaganda purposes by Australia and Horta himself. In newly-democratic Indonesia, where the mainstream media are mostly owned by businessmen, propaganda reporting is still practiced, however under a new public relations cloak to serve the interests of the businessmen, politicians and the government.

Failed policies, why not a public debate first?

Raising subsidized fuel prices and giving away cash disbursements to the poor people are not the only solution for this country. Such policies will only make more and more millions suffer and raise the number of poor who are already struggling for their daily lives due to rising fuel and food prices. Under a capitalist regime, the policy of increasing fuel prices may look and sound good. But in the case of Indonesia, more and more millions of people who are already struggling for their daily lives, will suffer even more (watch out for demos, increased crime rate and suicides). Current economic policies have not worked. For the common people, life is far more difficult. Farmers are not better off in terms of their welfare and fishermen can no longer afford to go to sea. Cash disbursements of a mere Rp 100,000 a month to the poor will only last for two days (Rp 14 trillion in 7 months, Rp 100,000 per family each month). And it can be misinterpreted as political bribes to win the hearts of the people. Yudhoyono’s call for saving energy may be a good call but not for the common people who have yet to enjoy electricity, affordable basic needs, education, health and a decent life (It’s a call for the elite people, officials, MPs and businessmen!). People don’t buy policies under the pretext of external factors such as rising global oil and food prices and most of all, bailing out the state budget. There are other alternatives which Indonesia can take in the course of saving the nation. One way is having the courage to resist foreign influence, get rid of the oil mafia practices and implement own genuine Indonesian economic policies. They can be among others, renegotiating oil production sharing contracts with foreign companies, covering the Rp 35 trillion budget deficit using the abundant funds intended for spending (government only spent 5% of that), rescheduling repayment of foreign debt (the bulk of the money is untouched for the creditors) and making the state oil enterprise, Pertamina, efficient. But Yudhoyono insisted no other economic solutions will work except for increasing fuel. Such dogmatic thinking is undemocratic in nature (intellectual arrogance?). He should have accommodated the theories and analysis of other economists outside the government. Or at least engage in a public and open debate first with economists who believe they their theories are applicable (why not a debate with Rizal Ramli?). This way, he will save his own credibility which is now seen and portrayed as more serving the interests of the foreigners, foreign bond holders and his own political ambition.

A question of sincerity

Subject: “Indonesia and Timor Leste: Redefining Relations for the Future”. Place: Flores Room, Hotel Borobudur. Time: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 14:00 - 16:00. Host: Presidential Spokesperson, Indonesian Council on World Affairs, Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste. Speaker: Timor Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao. Mood: Speech and Impressed audience despite the dull Q & A session dominated by officials and academics. Only one important question, among the most ordinary, was asked by a researcher questioning the prime minister’s real commitment towards fostering relations with Indonesia. It went unanswered. Instead, smooth talk about the speaker’s relations with the President of the Republic of Indonesia, his 62 years of age and equating himself and his political experience with other leaders of Asia. The rest was body language, no real content and short of what a real lecture was supposed to be. We are not against the prime minister to improve relations with Indonesia. After all he has said that Bahasa Indonesia will be taught in Timor Leste schools, Timor Leste will have military cooperation with Indonesia and Timor Leste wants to learn from Indonesia how to achieve self-sufficiency. But underneath all that, there is still a question of sincerity. There are still basic problems which need to be solved first. Timor Leste President Ramos Horta’s groundless allegations that “Indonesian elements” were involved in an assassination attempt on his life on February 11, 2008 have yet to be proved. And he owes Indonesia an apology. Although the prime minister has expressed regret over the issue and called on Indonesia against blowing up the issue for the sake of good relations, the hurt feelings of the Indonesians remain (can’t imagine how top senior journalist Desi Anwar feels). Regret and apology are two different things. Regret is used in invitations while apology is humbly admitting making a mistake and ask for forgiveness. But Horta, as head of state and the leader of Timor Leste arrogantly dismissed claims he had accused Indonesia. It was on the record. And he stood firm he was misquoted by the press (that many times?). The prime minister only conveyed Ramos Horta’s regret (what a double standard!). And alas, Indonesian officialdom was deaf and blind in seeing this reality. It failed to accommodate aspirations and feelings of the people and the press. Timor Leste should respect Indonesia as a big brother. Once again we have been outwitted by both Ramos Horta and Xanana Gusmao. Old wounds have yet to be healed and now Ramos Horta’s manipulative intrigue will continue to be seen as a thorn in relations between Timor Leste and Indonesia.

The spy nest

In 1968, when the sampar plague hit Central Java, Indonesia called on the United States for help. The US then dispatched its Naval Medical Research Unit or NAMRU2, which gave successful recommendations to eradicate the deadly disease. Then in 1970, Indonesia called on the US again for help to fight malaria in Papua. A memorandum of understanding was signed between Indonesian Health Minister GA Siwabessy and US Ambassador Francis Galbraith to secure NAMRU2’s presence in Indonesia. In the 1990s, when malaria was finally eradicated, NAMRU2’s presence continued in Indonesia. In 1991, the US promoted NAMRU2’s level from a mere military health detachment of the US Navy to a full command operations status (intelligence operations?), following the closure of NAMRU2 based in the Philippines in 1994. Since then, with the help of the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) expanded NAMRU2’s function to conduct research on contagious diseases for all of the Southeast Asian region. Then in 1998, Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto urged the government to halt NAMRU2’s operations on grounds that its presence on Indonesian soil posed a threat to national defense and security. Gen. Wiranto noted that 23 NAMRU2 researchers were given diplomatic immunity and free to wander all over Indonesia to carry out their activities (why didn’t he stop it?). In 1999, Foreign Minister Ali Alatas sent a letter to President BJ Habibie informing him that NAMRU2’s operations are related to the military aspect of the Biological Weapons Verification Protocol. Now, after forty years of NAMRU2’s presence, Indonesian believe its function is no longer needed (but Indonesia doesn’t have the guts to tell the US!). Its legal binding with Indonesia has ended. But NAMRU2’s operations continued. AC Manulang a former head of Indonesian intelligence said NAMRU2 is currently carrying out the role of America’s neo-liberalism policy by carrying out espionage activities under the camouflage of research purposes. Current intelligence chief declined to state whether NAMRU2 is associated with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) but confirmed the US military research unit carried out intelligence practices and that it’s presence is being evaluated (why not a recommendation to close the facilities?). US Ambassador to Indonesia Cameron Hume denied such allegations but Health Minister Siti Fadillah Supari accused NAMRU2 of trampling over Indonesia’s sovereignty. She ordered all hospitals to stop providing samples, including bird flu samples to NAMRU2 (bird flu research samples made US pharmaceutical firms rich). She said NAMRU2 has its own programs and carry out its activities without informing results of their research to the Indonesian authorities. But it seems that officials, members of parliament and Indonesians in general are powerless against US neo-liberalism interests while all information about Indonesia is already in the hands of a foreign power (when will Indonesia realize and rise?).

A campaign of vilification

When Timor Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta returned to Dili, he accused Indonesian “elements” of alleged involvement in the assassination attempt on his life. And the latest, he alleged a TV station’s journalist in Jakarta, with the help of authorities in West Timor, organized documents for Maj. Alfredo Reinado to travel to Indonesia for a May 23, 2007 interview. Why did Horta make such allegations? He had phoned Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono asking for help. Yudhoyono was surprised as he had ordered top Indonesian authorities to help investigate. He even dispatched two senior police officers to Dili and talk with Timor Leste’s attorney general. On the night of April 17, 2008, the reputed special detachment of the Indonesian police, Densus 88 arrested three members of the Timor Leste military who illegally crossed the border into Indonesia (Indonesian police are more professional). Viewing Horta’s allegations as serious, Yudhoyono called on Horta against issuing statements which could lead to misinterpretations and hurt friendly relations between the two states. The question is, who’s behind all this? Maj. Reinado himself was killed before the assassination attempt on the president took place in Dili on February 11, 2008. Why can’t the 1,100 Australian and New Zealand soldiers and police check the border? Why can’t they secure the president of such a tiny state with only one million people? Why is the refugee issue not addressed? Another attempt to make Indonesia the scapegoat? (as always). In Timor Leste, the common people speak the Indonesian language and in everyday life they rely on Indonesian-made products (the sarongs, the instant noodle) which they have to pay in dollars. At the same time, they resented the luxury lifestyle of the Timor Leste leaders while people lead difficult life. The military meanwhile has been discriminated. The presence of too many Australian soldiers also add to the anti-foreign sentiment. Once again, Australia is launching a campaign of vilification against Indonesia in the Australian and foreign media in favor of Australia’s interests (Horta is Australia’s man in Timor Leste).

Culture of competition

A fresh wind of change is blowing softly across Indonesia’s political spectrum. The recent direct elections for regent and deputy regent in Tangerang and the gubernatorial elections in West Java proved that politics are no longer dominated by the big powerful parties or a handful of incumbents. Rano Karno and Dede Yusuf, both celebrities, stole the limelight from the sunset incumbents when they won the election for deputy regent and deputy governor. Incumbent former governor of West Danny Setiawan (65) and Agum Gumelar (63), a highly respected and well decorated elite forces retired general who were expected to win the votes failed to convince people to vote for them. Sukardi Rinakit, a young political analyst and a fierce but subtle critic of the government launched his book Gusti Ora Sare (in Javanese, God Never Sleeps) which is a collection of his thoughts, analysis and political arguments, dug deep into attitude, character, ethics and morality side in Indonesian politics. He pointed out that the political cycle and activities will face a dead end when it comes to bumping into the attitude of the new voters. People are now digging the potentials they have in their self to create a “culture of competition.” This proved that the old values in the melodramatic character of the Indonesian people are beginning to fade away. They are fed up with the old and same faces of people running for top government jobs and the powerful political parties which to date failed to improve the economic condition and welfare of the people. In this context, God never sleeps. Indonesia is blessed with a powerful economic machine but the problem is that the government is sleeping. The regional elections (pilkada) are overshadowed by political practices of the old regimes called Politik Mataraman (political orientation to the Javanese cosmology). The current pilkada is often dominated by those who have been in politics during the New Order which is artificial and not substancial. The pilkadas which are dominated by incumbents are in fact slowing the real democratic process.

Is there a hidden agenda?

Timor Leste President Ramos Horta would not step down as what the Australian media reported recently. All his life, he had campaigned and struggled for the independence of his country. Although very sensitive, and sometimes emotional, Horta proved himself to be a strong person. Indeed, he was very lucky to have escaped death during an assassination attempt outside his residence in Dili. Following his discharge from hospital, he described the last moments before the shooting took place and the role of the Australian-led UN soldiers stationed in Timor Leste. He saw it was one of Maj. Reinado’s men who shot him. Until now, Maj. Reinado’s men’s whereabouts are still unknown (an Indonesian TV journalist knows where they are). And there is still a lingering question why the Australian soldiers had not acted. Horta was told that United Nations police had obstructed people trying to rescue him as he lay bleeding for 30 minutes near the front gate of his house in Dili on February 11. The Australian-led forces could have promptly surrounded the entire town closing all the exits, using helicopters and captured the attackers within hours. But all that didn’t happen. Meanwhile, defying accusations, Australian Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon said that they would only act at the request of the Timor Leste government or the United Nations (even an assassination attempt on a Nobel laureate?). The question is what are they doing in Timor Leste if they can’t provide security? Is there an Australian hidden agenda in Timor Leste?

Sowing seeds of hatred

Dutch parliamentarian Geert Wilders has insulted the Muslim world with his anti-Islam film “Fitna”. The film, which can be seen on You Tube and other internet sites, clearly links images of extremist attacks to verses from the Al Qur’an and equates Islam with violence. Wilders, a far-right Freedom Party lawmaker, has also called for the Al Qur’an to be banned in the Netherlands. While most Muslims and the rest of the world are angry, Wilders is just as happy as he can get. He’s challenging the world to debate whether he’s wrong and he’s been invited to the US for a lecture (what will President Bush say?). The intense publicity of the broadcast has made many more people in the West to believe that Islam is violent and evil. Muslims reject that. Indonesia has condemned Wilders and banned him. The Dutch must be careful in regard to its ties with Indonesia. Malaysia’s former leader Mahathir Mohamad suggested a boycott on Dutch products (what if the world’s Muslims unite and boycott Dutch products and Dutch companies in the Muslim world such as Shell, Philips and Unilever). Although the Dutch government has already condemned Wilders, it’s not enough. Egypt, Jordan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Singapore, 27 European Union foreign ministers and the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon have condemned the Dutch MP. Wilders wants to curb what he says is Islamization of Europe and the West (doesn’t he realize that there are many followers of different faiths as well living in the Muslim world?). At a time when the world is seeking peace and understanding among nations, cultures and religions, Wilders is disrupting the process. He is a modern day fascist and as crazy as Adolf Hitler and the Ku Klux Klan. He has incited racial and religious hatred. He is spreading the phobic that Islam is dangerous to a far wider extent. He is sowing seeds of hatred under the pretext of freedom of expression. Beware, the situation is dangerous and Wilders must be stopped!

Prof. Dr. Steve H. Hanke in restrospect

When Indonesia’s economy, the stock market and the currency collapsed in 1997, an unknown Johns Hopkins University professor was called in by then president Soeharto to help. The professor, Dr. Steve H. Hanke, proposed that the Currency Board System be implemented to fix the exchange rate of the battered Indonesian rupiah to the dollar. Soeharto was happy with the plan. He wanted to implement it. Some were enthusiastic to back the plan. But economists rallied to reject the plan. Soeharto was powerless. He didn’t dare defy his master’s order. Indonesia had for such a long time been dictated by the United States, the IMF, Japan, Singapore and the European countries. They had committed a US$ 43 billion bailout package. Soeharto had to succumb to the pressure by the IMF. He was powerless as he signed a letter of intent under the notorious look of IMF’s Michel Camdessus (your time is up old man!). US President Bill Clinton had telephoned Soeharto and ordered him to reject Hanke’s plan. But until now it is still a a mystery how Hanke met Soeharto without prior consent of the Indonesian finance ministry and the IMF. Ten years after the dramatic events, last Wednesday and Thursday (March 26-27, 2008), Hanke appeared again in Indonesia. He gave lectures at the Pelita Harapan University and a forum hosted by a prominent business magazine (Peter Gontha met him for the first time). During his time here, Hanke warned Bank Indonesia against further cuts in its benchmark interest rates due to increasing inflation pressure, called for strengthening of the rupiah by buying it in the market and reforming Indonesia’s labor regulations. But Hanke’s fiercest criticism was on Indonesia’s inability to make accurate budget assumptions (oil price is more than US$ 100 per barrel). He said the state budget is inefficient and not properly formulated such as allocating spending on fuel and electricity subsidies which should have been used for funding infrastructure developments. Dr. Steve H. Hanke had advised Soeharto with his CBS. It would be interesting to know what he would recommend if he is asked to advise current President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in fixing the current state of the economy.

Devils in flying angels

Tuesday, March 25 saw an important press conference by the Indonesian air transport safety officials. They announced the results of investigation into the crash of an Adam Air jetliner in January 2007 which killed 102 people on board. The investigation showed pilot error caused the plane to crash into the sea. The autopilot was disconnected while the pilots tried to fix a problem with the plane’s navigation instruments. According to the investigation of the black box flight recorder, the aircraft was flying at 10 times the normal landing speed when it hit the water. Adam Air had registered 154 defects in the Boeing 737-400’s navigation system in the three months before the crash, showing the planes were poorly maintained. An Adam Air Boeing 737 broke into two during a hard landing in Surabaya. In February 2006, an Adam Air aircraft strayed off course after navigation systems failed and made an emergency landing in Tambolaka, East Nusa Tenggara. And in a latest incident in Batam, an Adam Air plane skidded off the runway during landing. Indeed, Adam Air’s safety record was totally unaccountable and Tuesday’s findings proved that Adam Air had been negligent in implementing safety procedures. The authorities should have grounded Adam Air a long time ago (investigate the former flight safety officials!). Meanwhile, Adam Air has financial difficulties as well. The company has defaulted on debt payments to aircraft lease firms and it owes leasing companies more than US$14 million. Its investors have pulled out in distrust of the company’s founders and their intentions. Not mentioning, the transparency of its financial management (where have all the money gone?). Innocent people have lost their lives due to Adam Air’s negligence and the family-owned company should be held responsible. Adam Air has not only tainted the image and credibility of the Indonesian air transportation industry but also caused public distrust in other Indonesian airlines as well. The government should not tolerate such negligence ever again!