Media Remarkable Roles In Democracy Acknowledged

MEDIA REMARKABLE ROLES IN DEMOCRACY ACKNOWLEDGED By Edi Utama Nusa Dua, Bali, Aug 26 (Antara) - The strengthening of democracy in Indonesia, including the process of the country's latest presidential election this year, has been remarkably supported by the role of the media, a minister has said. Indonesia, as the third largest democracy country in the world is characterized, among others, by its media environment and dynamism, Indonesian minister for communication and information technology, Tifatul Sembiring, said when opening a global media forum, here, Tuesday. The forum is attended by some 300 international media representatives, journalists, government officials and academicians. The three-day event that will last until Friday is a collaboration between the Indonesian government and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Jakarta office, taking the theme The role of media in realizing the future we want for all. Minister Sembiring said Indonesia has just gone through a peaceful democratic leadership transition. The entire process has been worrying and I must honestly say disturbing as well, but at the same time it has been encouraging because the people have spoken. The pros and cons and dynamics of information voiced out by the media especially the social media that have been truly remarkable. Everybody can say and participate in the process disregard of the right or wrong opinions they had voiced out. In this country, like in many democratic nations, the result is not as important as the participatory principle. Let the people speak and be heard. In the end, they will understand whatever the outcome will be, Mr. Sembiring pointed out. Giving an idea on the strong role played by the media on the strengthening of democracy, Mr. Sembiring added Indonesia has thousands of conventional media including broadcasting, print and millions of ICT and social media. Television ownership, tv and radio stations, including the print media are still growing incrementally, he said. On print media, Minister Sembiring emphasized it is still playing significant roles particularly towards a more literate public. Media penetration in Indonesia, as follows: penetration almost reach 95%, radio 47%, internet 29%, newspaper 25% and magazine 13. Media, particularly broadcasting and ICT based in unlike any other enterprises can only operate and function because the public give free space and their time. In other word, the public pays the media with their space and time. The minister further said, the most remarkable media environment particularly in relations to the media and democracy has been the key. This is really apparent in three major aspects of democratic communication. The first aspect is the freedom of speech and press. The second aspect is the participation of the people and the third aspect is the open government or a government official who is always willing to listen to its people, transparent and empowering the people to lead the democratic process peacefully. Our continued effort is to ensure that a culture of peace is always built in the public communication that is respectful to other various cultures and norms particularly of the marginalized and the poor, he said. UNESCO Jakarta office director Hubert Gijzen said in his opening remark the forum comes at a critical moment in the design of the post-2015 development agenda. I believe that the discussions in Bali from Aug. 25 to 28 will generate a new momentum to the effort of giving media a prominent role in shaping the future we want for all, he said. The ministry's Director General for Public Information and Communications Dr. Freddy Tulung said earlier in a press briefing that the forum will adopt the Bali Roadmap for media and development, which will include recommendations on both media development and media as a means of generating development. "The roadmap will also be included in the post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda formulated by the United Nations," Mr. Tulung added.