TEMPO.CO, Bukittinggi - The Press Council has identified a number of essential issues the Indonesian Press is facing today, both internally and externally. "Externally, one of the main challenges is financiers' domination," said Press Council chairman Bagir Manan at the National Seminar on Enterpreneurship in Media Industry for Journalists held in Bukittinggi, West Sumatra on Thursday, November 27, 2014.
Bagir Manan added that several problems stemmed from capital domination in the media industry, which were evident in, among others, economic and political aspects. Bagir said capital domination could cause the media industry to be business-oriented. Bagir added this sort of motive had made the media prioritize rating than quality.
Thus, he continued, the main function of the press was no longer to acquire or disseminate information to the public. "Information value is often determined by economic transaction with the source, be it legal or illegal," said Bagir.
Another impact of capital domination was also observed in the political aspect, Bagir said. He opined capitalists who owned media outlets were using them as political instruments to get or safeguard their power. He explained this kind of politicization no longer conform to the principles of independence, objectivity, fairness and public rights towards the press.
"When there is a political stir, the press should not be taking part in it," said Bagir.
Anwar Siswadi | Andri El Faruqi | Abdul Manan
