Trust and fairness in the democratic era is actually a necessity climate for healthy dialogue between components of the nation which in turn is a tool to bring social justice to all Indonesian people.
Trust and fairness in the democratic era is actually a necessity climate for healthy dialogue between components of the nation which in turn is a tool to bring social justice to all Indonesian people.
JAKARTA | KBA – It is undeniable that the role of the media is increasingly important and crucial both to maintain the spirit of democracy and to present feelings and justice that are increasing being eroded in the motherland.
The slogan that the press is a tool of struggle is still relevant today and for this reason the democratic community constantly calls on media awareness to take the biggest part in bringing together various aspirations for the best decision made in every problem they face.
This will create public trust in the media and democracy as the best existing system.
The media is also expected to play an active role in creating a climate so that people are not afraid to express their opinions in the midst of various disagreements that occur on social media today, as called by Governor Anies Baswedan when speaking at the 10th Anniversary of the Pemred Forum (Editors’ Forum) at the Raffles Hotel, Jakarta, Friday 5 August. 2022.
“To make this democracy last, we need trust. This is between all the components. In reducing fear, the positive role of social media has been proven to be effective and even to eliminate it,” said Anies.
According to Anies, the democracy conveyed is marked by the resulting policies that are proven to increase welfare or produce justice. To realize the ideals of social justice in Indonesia, it is necessary to do two things, namely to roll back colonialism and to promote prosperity and justice.
Along with the abolition of colonialism, it is important to realize social justice through a democratic process. Don’t let democracy become an opening for conflict.
“Our part today is to promote prosperity and justice and we choose the process using democracy. This democratic process is different from previous times.”
“The experience of living in the era of authoritarianism has been felt in many countries, including Indonesia. It is time for the era of darkness to be completely closed for us to enter the new era of enlightenment.”
Democratic governments can only survive with the presence of trust. On the other hand, when the people’s fear disappears, the authoritarian regime collapses,” said Anies.
According to Anies, in a democracy the space for debate is opened. Different perspectives A, B, C, and D will emerge, and their emergence can cause what is called polarization.
However, polarization at this early stage is not always in the form of conflict and division. What is present is the polarization that comes from the difference in viewing angles which on the surface appears as friction.
“The new friction then becomes a conflict which gives rise to the initial stage to become division. So there are phases. Well, often we see differences in views immediately rush to conclude a split. No! The split is at its very end. Polarization, friction, and conflict breaks out,” Anies observed.
According to Anies, the media plays a role in maintaining a room for debate. This is because equality of opportunity is needed to exchange ideas and thoughts for the same goal, namely to bring about social justice for all Indonesian people. That’s the first and foremost goal.
“We hope that the media maintains independence and objectivity, to build trust. Objectivity, that’s the key word. The editor forum must be able to guide the emergence of objectivity in all of our media,” hoped Governor Anies.
The subjective, said Anies, also contains data, but it is still a partial view, even partisan. While objectivity is a comprehensive view that provides equal space for all perspectives.
“Recently what is often missing is objectivity. If the media becomes a vehicle for providing equality of ideas, then unity will undoubtedly emerge,” Anies said confidently.
Anies then gave an example, when building Jakarta, he prioritized the third space as a space for equality. He also hopes that the media can support the freedom of changing people’s ideas equally.
He then illustrated the Citayam Fashion Week event in the Sudirman area, Central Jakarta, which went viral. The parks in Jakarta are getting more and more beautiful. The ideal sidewalk. An integrated transportation system that allows all walks of life to mingle.
“We want to make this city give a feeling of equality that anyone can enjoy without any pressure. Previously, the private sector used strata. Look at the mall. The mall uses strata. If you go to the HI Roundabout, there are three malls. Plaza Indonesia, Grand Indonesia, and Thamrin City. Those who go to PI have never been to Thamrin city, those who go to Thamrin City are afraid of PI. That’s the fact. Without us knowing it, we live in strata. Once we build these spaces, that feeling of equality begins to emerge. What for? To provide unity for the citizens of Jakarta,” he said.
Anies hopes that strengthening the sense of unity of Indonesian citizens will be helped by the presence of a sense of justice.
Therefore, the Governor hopes that a sense of equality of opportunity can continue to be present in the joints of life, so that unity can be achieved quickly. (kba)