1. Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia Mass Media and Interfaith Dialogues Presentation by Ibnu Hadi At the 6 th ARF ISM CTTC, Singapore, 2 May 2007

2. Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia Outline The Dialogue: why it is important? The Media: the Fourth Estate. The Role of Media in Promoting Dialogue. Indonesia’s experience in cultivating dialogues. Lessons Learnt. Conclusion.

3. Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia The Dialogue: Why is it important? Misperception, misconception and stereotyping of some quarters to another. No single religion, culture, system or ideology has any convincing claim to be the one voice of truth. Everyone has the right to present and defend their system of beliefs and practices.

4. Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia The Dialogue: Why is it important? National identities should not preclude responsibilities for the well-being of all humanity. In pluralistic, multicultural, multi-religious society, dialogue is a requirement of social cohesion. Spirituality, truth, goodness and peace require dialogue.

5. Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia Challenges of Dialogues How to manage differences? How to understand messages? How to be sensitive to the deep-held feelings of others? How to interpret issues in their proper context? Dialogue enhanced respect across divisive lines.

6. Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia “The fourth estate” The Executive, The Judicative, The Legislative, and The Media. Edmund Burke: ‘the media is the most powerful estate of all’. Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel: ’the reality is basically constructed in your mind’. The media is important as the channel for communication with the wider public.

7. Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia Power of the Media Agenda setting: they determine what’s important and what’s not. Hypodermic needle effect: media had a direct, immediate and powerful effects on its audience. Freedom of opinion and freedom of expression is inherited to the media.

8. Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia Power of the Media Role of political accountability and check- and-balances on public officials and institutions. Role of a direct political actor. Providing free flow of news and information within and across national borders. Media can be a force for good, they can also do a great deal of harm.

9. Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia The Role of the Media in Interfaith A need to bridging gaps between different religions, cultures and peoples. Provide better insight into the background, traditions, views and values of other cultures. Media should address cultural and religious sensitivities. Practicing self-censorship to help ease the tension without diluting press freedom. Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia

10. The role of the media in Interfaith Former UNSG Kofi Annan, “We believe that freedom of the press entails responsibility and discretion, and should respect the beliefs and tenets of all regions.” Fairly portray religions, faiths, and cultures and avoid double standard.

11. Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia How to enhance media’s role Positive engagement and mutual collaboration with the media. Broader range of background information. Broader range of ideas and interpretation. Maintain quality and professionalism in relations with the media.

12. Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia Indonesia’s Experience in Promoting Media’s Role in Interfaith Dialogue The First Global Inter-Media Dialogue, Bali, 1 – 2 September 2006. Promoting freedom of expression and greater tolerance. Promoting mass media sensitivity to other cultures and faiths, while upholding freedom of expression. The Dialogue is institutionalized and will be convened annually.

13. Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia Lessons Learnt Dialogue is prerequisite to cohesive and tolerant society. Media has powerful impact to the world’s community. Media spin can do good, but can cause harm as well. Media can play a significant role in tolerance building. Media sensitivity is needed in building cohesiveness of the society.

14. Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia Conclusion The Power of the Media should be utilized to promote interfaith and inter- civilization dialogues. Indonesia is committed in promoting interfaith and inter-civilization dialogues.

15. Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia Thank you Ibnu Hadi: Director for Intra-Regional Cooperation of Asia-Pacific and Africa / Alternate ARF SOM Leader-Indonesia ibnuhadi@deplu.go.id www.deplu.go.id