Commentary: Know-it-all journos are, sometimes, important too

Kornelius Purba ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Fri, 04/25/2008 12:27 AM  |  Headlines

Quite often I am very upset with readers who question the extent of my IQ -- one even confidently concluded that I was an idiot -- just because I exercise my right to strongly criticize those who suddenly come to mind, including President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Their comments are an insult, because I believe I have a constitutional obligation to criticize anything under the sun, with few exceptions. The victims of my criticism should be grateful to receive the honor and benefit from it.

"Who do you think you are to have the right to say the President should do this or that? Millions of voters trusted him to lead this country. And you?" said one reader in an e-mail.

Another one commented, "You are an idiot, but sok tahu (pretend to know it all)."

A foreign reader teased, "Do you have the guts to criticize your own boss? Do you have democracy in your office?" The boss always assures me I have complete freedom to criticize him. I never criticize him though, because so far he is perfect to me. (This is serious, don't laugh!) Democracy in the office? Just ask anyone in the office -- we have it!

I went to my only daughter for her support. "Idiot? It's very painful. But who knows if the reader is right?" she said after I gave her a present -- which she said was great -- a valuable cell phone voucher.

Still she added, you are always irritated when we criticize you and you often cut my pocket money when we talk honestly about your shortcomings."

To become a journalist is an honor, a privilege. Only very selected people -- according to some jealous officials only those who have tried, but failed, to find jobs elsewhere -- are interested in joining the club of champions of democracy and justice.

Many journalists complain they are overworked and underpaid. But they cannot quit their job because they are addicted to it. Or -- this is more possible -- there is nowhere else they can go. (Of course I am an exception.)

We journalists believe we are one of the most important -- even the most crucial -- pillars of democracy. The country can survive, and even become better without a president. But without journalists and the media? No way. Although certain anti-democracy people would say the world would be more peaceful and prosperous without us.

I know a business editor who always talks about millions or billions of dollars in his conversations. He talks just like George Soros. "The government is very stupid not to earn more revenues from the oil windfalls, it could be worth hundreds of millions of dollars."

One day I saw the editor with a red face after returning from an ATM. "My account is empty. What should I say to my wife?"

Meetings with senior government officials like Trade Minister Mari Pangestu or Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda are always pleasing because we can treat them as if they are our equals. Who will not feel flattered when Minister Mari asks politely, "How do you think I'm getting on?" It's very nice although she probably asks the same question to everyone, as a matter of courtesy.

Only when Minister Mari waves her hand from her Toyota Camry to journalists who are waiting for bajaj or ojek, then we realize "We are far from being equal."

Palace officials have a strong tendency to limit the number of newspapers the President sees. President Yudhoyono and Megawati Soekarnoputri reportedly only read a few newspapers on the suggestions of their close aides. It must be difficult for their aides to answer their boss, "Do you think I am as stupid as described by this rubbish in this newspaper? Although they are all Yes Men and Yes Women, this time they cannot answer, "Yes, boss."

Many -- especially writers -- believe the editorial is the soul of the newspaper, and therefore the writers are selected from top people in the newsroom. It is a must-read column, because in the editorial you will see how easy it is for the writers to describe other people as "incompetent, corrupt or dictators".

Editorials often contain appeals for certain ministers or even the president "to resign for the sake of the country". You may ask would, if the editorial writer becomes a leader, he or she be any better than the current ministers?

"Yes, I am definitely much more capable than the ministers," that would be my answer when President Yudhoyono asked me.

"How if you fail?" the President might ask again.

"Just fire me. And pay my severance allowance," that will be my definite reply.

So please continue subscribing to newspapers, especially this newspaper. For what? At least you can hide behind it when your spouse complains about your incompetence in some area where she needs much improvement from you.

The writer can be reached at purba@thejakartapost.com

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