Media Should Not Show The Violence in Papua

It seems that there is no ending story for violence acts in Papua. Almost every time, Indonesia mass media just show the riots that happened in Papua. It starts from the firearm between civilians and the army to the tribal war. It seems that there will be no peace. Is it true that Papua will never be secured? Who must be blamed for this? Is it the government for acting so slowly for solving this problem?

I think, it’s not just the government to be blamed. Yes, the government is not doing maximum yet for solving this conflict. The conflicts happened in Papua for years because sometimes they still do their primitive solving ways (some kind like tribal wars by using arrows) to end their problems. The government tries to end the problems with the methods that always used in this present time, so it’s clear that government needs times, although I think it moves slowly. But the news shown in media also takes responsibility for igniting Papua’s conflict.

Media can influence and has a big power to construct life reality in society, and the construction is implanted in people’s mind. Media is powerful to shape public opinions. And Indonesia mass media is liable to show the violence and war that happened in Papua.

Because of that, people thing that Papua is not safe and peace can’t be created. However, if media tells the peace message, for example showing the successful story of Papua people who invented a new innovation, or maybe showing the Papua societies who lived side by side with non-Papua people peacefully, the opinions that shaped in society must be an optimist that conflict in Papua can be solved. Every people will act together and give their thoughts to secure Papua. And the end can be a happy ending.

It’s time for media to no longer broadcast violence actions, especially that related with tribal or races conflicts. A good media is able to educate public, give an optimist feeling to society that the situation is going to be fine and better than now. Indonesia media has to show the real Indonesia personalities: hospitality, cultured, and prestigious. Not just showing the violence that ignites riots. Media has to spread a peaceful propaganda.