JAKARTA History today, 41 years ago, March 1, 1982, the Press Council Building was inaugurated by President Suharto. He emphasized that the presence of the Big Press Headquarters could be the beginning that the press was the torch of the launching of government development programs.
Previously, Suharto considered the press development in Indonesia to be out of control. Instead of talking about the progress of the nation, the existing press actually endangered national stability a lot. As a result, the New Order (Orba) tried to regulate it.
Andil in the press world in perpetuating Suharto's existence during the Old Order era there were no two. The presence of the press made Suharto's big name appear to the surface. He was hailed as a new candidate for leader who brought change. He is close to the people, also close to students.
This closeness lasted until the early stages of the Soeharto and New Order governments. However, that intimacy must end. An New Order that used to be considered hope for freedom of expression began to emerge its original nature. The New Order is not much different from the Old Order. Mainly, in treating the press and freedom of expression.
The New Order was disturbed by all kinds of reports informing the government of the bad. The owner of the power considers negative reporting to disrupt national stability. Suharto said the press had gone too far.
He only wanted the only news to be the government's positive image. The New Order also intervened. The power of attorney began to control the mass media. The Security and Order Recovery Command (Kopkamtib) was given the task for that. Anyone who brings a negative 'color' related to the government will be dealt with firmly with education.
"As of the end of January 1978, press freedom has grown almost uncontrollably. This condition brings danger to the dynamic stability of the national. If it is little more allowed to develop, it will almost pose a danger to the safety of the nation and state".
"It is not fun for the government to temporarily ban the issuance of a number of media. But here we are not faced with an option of happy and unhappy, but the only option for the safety of the nation and state, as well as the interest in developing a press that is free and responsible," said Suharto as quoted by St. Sularto in the book Sumur No End: Traces of Jakob Oetama's (2011) move.
The mass media control efforts continue. The New Order continues to actively interfere in all events belonging to the press world. From regulating press officials to news content. In fact, Suharto and New Order participated in arranging the national press coach, the Press Council. This fact was increasingly felt when The Smiling General was present to inaugurate the Press Council Building in Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta, on March 1, 1982.
The event was attended by high government officials and media personnel. Suharto also took advantage of the momentum to advise the press to actually move with the government to maintain national stability. This is because the press is considered a torch of lighting capable of lighting the government's development agenda. Not the other way around.
At the inauguration which took place on March 1, Mrs. Tien Soeharto, Vice President Adam Malik and Mrs. Nelly Adam Malik were also present. In addition, there were also press figures and of course entrepreneurs who were members of the Mandarin Film Importers Association. Before President Suharto inaugurated the use of the Press Council Building, the handover was carried out from the Minister of Information to BM Diah in his position as Daily Chair of the Press Council.
After the inauguration in the form of the signing of the inscription by the President, Mrs. Tien Soeharto cut the ribbon and was also the first person to open the door of the magnificent building. The review was carried out up to the second floor. On the floor, there was a demonstration of several equipment that President Suharto had also tried," wrote the Indonesian Press Magazine report entitled A Megah Building for Press Elements (1982).
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