Indonesian communicaologist Emrus Sihombing said that democracy in Indonesia is based on Pancasila. One of the precepts calls ‘Just and Civilized Humanity’. Meanwhile, Rocky Gerung’s statement is far from civilized.
In the Lilin Indonesia Evening program on TVRI, Wednesday (2/8), Emrus said Rocky Gerung’s statement was very out of manners and led to insulting a president. The diction used by Rocky Gerung is not only very demeaning to the President, but also to the viewers, the public and even Rocky himself.
“Communication messages that are very far from civilized communication and common sense,” said Emrus.
According to the Pelita Harapan University (UPH) communicalogist and academic, freedom of speech should not transcend that civilization. There are ethics, decency, and respect for others.
“There is a diction that appears which, in my opinion, is inappropriate, democracy that goes too far, as the words Bastard and Stupid by Rocky Gerung, do not convey properly,” he said.
Emrus explained, if there are views that cannot be justified, the public should better access credible conventional media such as TVRI and news radio which are credible and can be trusted more.
Emrus also said that there must be a separation between productive criticism and criticism that is packaged as if it had an agenda.
The Communications Expert also considered that the statement put forward by the former UI lecturer was based on a very subjective and one-sided assessment.
“Rocky Gerung’s track record, he continued, is always giving only unconstructive criticism to Jokowi,” he said.
Emrus’ message to Rocky Gerung to apologize to President Jokowi. He also hopes that all communication messages issued to the public space can be rational and have benefits, including maintaining civility.
For your information, Rocky Gerung’s statement insulting President Jokowi continues to receive criticism from many parties.
The alleged insult by Rocky Gerung against Jokowi is depicted in a video that has been spread on social media. In the video, Rocky Gerung speaks at an event and conveys criticism to Jokowi, using the dictions Bastard and Stupid.
Previously, PDI Perjuangan Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto considered that Rocky Gerung’s words were at the peak of moral decay, degrading reason and demonstrating the infertility of common sense.
According to Hasto, Rocky tried to incite the public with very insulting and tendentious words
Criticism of Rocky also came from the National Dayak Customary Council (MADN) and Indonesian Dayak Customary Councils (DAD), who considered that the statement used had sparked public unrest.
“We at MADN regret that Rocky Gerung’s statement allegedly insulted President Joko Widodo and is also provocative and has the potential to cause uproar and division in society,” said MADN Secretary General Yakobus Kumis. [-ed]