SBY criticizes TV stations for unbalanced reports

JAKARTA. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono blasted a number of television stations for broadcasting “unbalanced and unfair” coverage, which he said only added to confusion among the public.

“Honestly, in my 10 years in office, some TV stations have broadcast unbalanced and unfair news,” said Yudhoyono in his opening speech at the launch of a new private television station at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Jakarta, on Saturday.

He then called on television stations to provide the public with accurate information or they could risk losing the public’s trust.

“It’s OK for a week, or two weeks, but if this goes on for months or even years, they will grow sick of it,” said Yudhoyono.

This is not the first time Yudhoyono has criticized the media.

In his book titled Selalu Ada Pilihan (There is Always a Choice), which was released in January, he said that there was a common belief in the press and media that good news meant no news.

“It means that for the press and mass media, good news about the government is not considered news. But if it’s negative, it’s news,” wrote Yudhoyono in a chapter titled “Tiada Hari Tanpa Kritik dan Kecaman” (No Day without Critics and Condemnation).

Political communication expert Tjipta Lesmana said that by launching the criticism, Yudhoyono showed his lack understanding of how the media actually worked.

“President SBY made these statements because he does not understand the media, in this context television,” he told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.

He said that it was common for owners of television stations to influence the public through channel content and information flow.

 “It happens in every country,” he said, adding that if Yudhoyono’s Democratic Party owned a television station, no doubt would it act as another tool to further promote the Democratic Party as compared to other parties, especially ahead of the presidential election.

The country is scheduled to vote for its next president on July 9.

The media is expected to compete to promote candidates, as some television stations are controlled by political big shots who control political parties.

The Golkar Party’s Aburizal Bakrie, who has declared his presidential bid, was a major shareholder in VIVA group, which owned TV One and ANTV, while Surya Paloh, chairman of the NasDem Party and owner of Metro TV through the Media Group, has officially declared his support for Jakarta Governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo as a presidential candidate.

Tjipta also said that in a politically charged situation, television stations would naturally take sides.

 “In this fierce political battle, it is normal for the media to take a stance. SBY does not need to complain about it,” said Tjipta. (idb)