By: Grace Septiana *
On June 21, 1994, Suharto as President of Indonesia at that time, closed the Tempo media because he made the main report regarding the purchase of 39 used warships from East Germany. The report contains criticism of Suharto and the Minister of Research and Technology BJ Habibie as officials who are directly related to the contract to purchase the warship. After learning that the main report was scattered, Soeharto then ordered the Ministry of Information, as the institution that regulates the press, to revoke the permission from Tempo media.
Tempo through Goenawan Muhammad, then took legal action by suing the revocation of the permit through the court. Unfortunately, Soeharto’s leadership in the new order was very strong, so there could not be anyone who could win if he filed a complaint against him. After the legal process was completed, Seoharto sent Hasjim Djojohadikusumo, Prabowo’s sister, to offer an agreement to Tempo. In his offer, Hasjim convinced Tempo to continue to run on the condition that the Editorial Board and its reporting must be determined by Suharto. Conversely, if it does not accept the agreement, Tempo is threatened to be dissolved forever. Interestingly, Goenawan Muhammad rejected the offer, which led to the permanent revocation of the license issued by Tempo.
From this historical account, it can be seen that Suharto did not provide free public space to the media. Any news that will be distributed must not offend Soeharto and his ranks but must improve their image in public. It can be said, news in Indonesia at that time must be in accordance with the wishes of Suharto. Looking at a piece of the story of the media silencing, I was reminded of the narrative against the media built by Prabowo.
Last year, Prabowo showed a similar attitude to Soeharto to the media in Indonesia. Because, Prabowo was angry with some media for not reporting 11 million Reunion 212 participants who came to Monas. According to him, the mass media is unfair in presenting information to the public. In fact, Prabowo also expressed his frustration by accusing the media of being a stooge of people who wanted to destroy Indonesia.
Prabowo’s anger at a glance was the same as Suharto’s anger at Tempo, which both forced the media to spread the news according to their personal and group interests. Prabowo’s narrative against the media seemed to order the media to present information in accordance with their political interests, especially with regard to the current Reunion 212 Instead of gaining sympathy, the public and the media actually saw Prabowo’s statement as a threat to the freedom and independence of the press, given that the broadcasting of news or information was the right of journalists who were protected by law.
Prabowo, a figure who has not even become President, has dared to put pressure on the media. Furthermore, I imagine the picture if later Prabowo was elected President. When there is news that is not pleasing, maybe he does not merely provide a narrative against the media but also silences the media itself. It is not impossible, he will manipulate the media according to his own tastes and interests. It feels, it’s not too excessive to judge Prabowo as the dictator of Soeharto’s incarnation, right?
* FISIP Student at Dharma Agung University