Jakarta – The uniformity of media reports on Soeharto's hospitalization and his health condition has raised suspicions that the coverage is aimed at motivating sympathy for the former president.
According to Heru Hendratmoko of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), there are indications that the former strongman's 32-year legacy of rampant corruption and human rights violations are being glossed over by the constant and comprehensive reports of his deteriorating health, which allegedly have been framed to stir up sympathy.
"There is a massive impunity movement among politicians and legislators who are encouraging the public at large to forgive the wrongdoings of the ailing former president and his cronies, a matter that has yet to receive official scrutiny and undergo any legal process," Heru told a media gathering at the AJI headquarters in Central Jakarta on Wednesday.
News of the retired five-star army general's failing health has filled the daily headlines of many newspapers and television channels since he was admitted at Pertamina Hospital in South Jakarta on Jan. 4 due to a low heart rate and severe edema.
"News reportage on Soeharto's health has monopolized the papers and television, overshadowing other equally, if not more, important issues such as the soybean crisis and floods in Java, which is a worrying trend," Heru added.
Even though such coverage may have been a natural human response, media observer Arya Gunawan said, media workers should remain impartial and be able to differentiate between Soeharto's health and the charges of corruption and human rights violations brought against him.
"Soeharto's health has become the center of a media circus, whereas human interest should have been kept separate from legal matters," Arya said, adding that the biased reporting of Soeharto had shaped the way his teenage son perceived the ailing octogenarian.
"We had heated discussions during which he would be dismissive of Soeharto's bleak record due to his ill-health. It was such hard work talking my son back to his senses," he said.
Heru and Arya had earlier argued that the images of Soeharto's deteriorating physical state broadcasted by television were detrimental in shaping the people's perceptions.
"There is a possibility that major media players have bought into the plot which has generated the support Soeharto now has. A gap exists between significant events and reportage," Arya said, adding that further investigation, particularly in tracing media ownership, could either help confirm or debunk the conspiracy theory.
Veteran journalist and member of the Soetomo Press Institute Atmakusumah Astraatmadja, however, argued that no conspiracy existed.
"I don't agree with the assumption that there is a deliberate framing of Soeharto-related reportage. Nor do I think media reports of his ill health have taken over the headlines. Perhaps readers only read what they want to read," said Atmakusumah, who had also argued that the extent and depth of reporting on Soeharto were healthy manifestations of the freedom of the press.
Soeharto has now been in hospital for 20 days, with his doctors announcing Wednesday that his health had taken another turn for the worse. He is recovering from multiple organ failure and remains in a critical condition. (amr)