UNAIR NEWS – “Viewers, back at it again with ILC themed … what is the theme for today? …” he said, then followed by applause from all participants who were mostly students. The opening are often appearing on TV One ILC (Indonesia Lawyers Club) program made a good impression of Expert Sharing on Friday afternoon February 08. Precisely as part of a series of 2019 National Press Day (HPN) commemoration that took place at Garuda Mukti Hall, Campus C UNAIR.
Karni Ilyas conveyed his unique opening words. He is one of senior journalists who have been in Indonesian journalism realm for a long time. This time, the man who is usually called Bang Karni was here to give a presentation related to current press.
“The tasks of the press are similar to guard dogs,” he said.
The presentation of the assignment as a press began with Karni’s explanation to approximately 500 participants were there. If you really look at how the press works in a social order, Karni said that their task is similar with guard dogs.
If interpreted in depth, guard dogs are fierce dogs. The barking sound is loud when something suspicious things appears.
“A fierce dog’s duty to guard the house of his master.” he said.
The press also has more or less similar tasks. The press must be very responsive to “suspicious” things in the social order. The press also has the responsibility of guarding its master’s house in a broader sense, the state, and its masters, which are government and the community. The press has the task of voicing peculiarities and strangeness.
Just like dogs, any strange or suspicious things are the target of the press to be voiced. Although, any suspicion of these things does not necessarily have the weight of demonstrable truth. However, it became one of the signals as well as material for evaluation or control the current reality.
“Dogs will bark when something is suspicious. So, guard dogs aren’t always right. The dog always barks because when they see something strange. Because there are rats running around, for example. The press is not always right, “he said.
Speaking for press, said Karni, it is interpreted as a critical attitude. Both related to circulating discourse from survey institutions, as well as from the community itself.
“This is the task of the media to report it (outstanding issues, ed),” he said.
So, what about their freedom? Karni said that basically the press also has the right of correction, rectifying. Both those concerning other people, as well as institutions and organizations. The press also has the responsibility of giving an opportunity the right of reply or correction to what is reported.
Media should not take a sides in groups. The media should not give a different treatment for one group, tribe, party, or person. Except in cases of injustice and humanity.
“Media should be free. But, the media is indeed supported by human. Basically, human have a tendency to take sides.” he said.
“However, in the product, the press must represent both. Provide equal opportunity options. And, you can’t make it up, “he added. (*)
Author: Feri Fenoria Rifa’i
