Government Wants the Media to Help in Defense

Tempo Interactive, Tuesday, 30 March, 2010 | 17:15 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The Minister of Defense, Purnomo Yusgiantoro, said that the mass media could have a role in the efforts to defend the country’s security.

“The media’s role is very important,” said Purnomo in the Defense Image Building workshop in Jakarta yesterday.

According to Purnomo, recent threats to the country’s security have not been always in the form of military power.

Terrorism organized by small group of people, for example, can shake a country and even global stability.

Purnomo explained that there are three media functions in a country’s defense.

First, the media can prevent threats in the form of propaganda from those who want to destabilize a country’s security.

Second, the media can incite a spirit of citizen’s patriotism to sacrifice for the country.

Last, the media could be a weapon to deter another party’s intention to destroy a nation.

“By conveying the weakness of the one who threatens a country’s security,” said Purnomo.

But Purnomo said he refused to use the media as propaganda tool.

Media, he said, had to uphold journalism principles, such as broadcasting news that is balanced, objective, factual and accurate.

The Deputy Chairman of the Press Council, Bambang Harimurti, said that the media had the same intention as the government to defend the country.

“The difference is in the method,” he said.

To reach a synergy between the media and the government, according to Bambang, numerous discussions between the two parties need to be held.

Bambang also reminded the government about the importance of information transparency and press freedom.

Referring to a study, Bambang said that information transparency and press freedom have a positive correlation with the level of a state’s welfare.

ANTON WILLIAM

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