Controversy widens over information ministry revival<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The reported plan to revive the information
\nministry, which was dissolved in 1999 by former president
\nAbdurrahman Wahid, was the target of increasing opposition from
\nvarious parties on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Bachtiar Chamsyah, deputy chairman of the United Development
\nParty (PPP) faction at the House of Representatives, said it was
\nno longer urgent for the new government to revive the dissolved
\nministry because there have been hundreds of newspapers, weeklies
\nand TV stations established, which are ready to help promote its
\ndevelopment programs.<\/p>\n
\"It would be ineffective and inefficient for the government as
\nthe ministry's main tasks can be handled by the print and
\nelectronic media. Furthermore, our mass media is still haunted by
\nformer president Soeharto's repressive government which
\nauthorized the ministry to strictly limit press freedom through,
\namong others things, the banning of several print media
\npublications,\" he said on Thursday.<\/p>\n
According to Bachtiar, the government should maintain freedom
\nof the press by allowing the mass media to help control itself in
\nthe future.<\/p>\n
Alexander Rusli, an information technology expert from the
\nUniversity of Indonesia, shared Bachtiar's sentiment, suggesting
\nthat, \"establishing such a ministry would be wasting money and
\nenergy because the ministry will only be used by certain parties
\nas a financial source for their idle projects.\"<\/p>\n
The plan to revive the information ministry was revealed
\nrecently by Arifin Panigoro, chairman of the Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) faction at the
\nHouse of Representatives (DPR).<\/p>\n
Arifin said the ministry should be reestablished to meet the
\nchallenges of information technology, as well as to convey
\ngovernment policy.<\/p>\n
An executive of the Association of Indonesian Private Radio
\nStations (PRSSNI) said that the plan to revive the ministry and
\nchange its name to the ministry of information technology
\ncontravened the Constitution because it could be used to control
\nthe existing media.<\/p>\n
\"Instead of reviving the ministry, the government can empower
\nthe National Information Agency (LIN) to promote its programs to
\nthe public,\" Antara quoted PRSSNI chairman Soetoyo Soekamihardjo
\nas saying.<\/p>\n
In Semarang, Central Java, about 50 journalists and activists
\nstaged a rally, protesting the planned revival of the information
\nministry.<\/p>\n
\"Our objection to the plan is aimed at upholding democracy in
\nthe country,\" Ecep, one of the protesters, said.<\/p>\n
In Surabaya, East Java, around 30 journalists staged a similar
\nrally for the same reason. The protesters said they rejected any
\nform of limitations on press freedom.<\/p>\n
The protesters unfurled banners reading Tolak belenggu
\nkebebasan pers (Reject restrictions on press freedom) and Deppen
\ntak punya hak hidup (the information ministry has no right to
\nexist).<\/p>\n
Despite the opposition, however, Rachmat Kosasih, a consulting
\ndirector of Computer Associates (CA), urged the government to
\nestablish a ministry dealing with information technology affairs,
\nincluding protection of the booming software industry.<\/p>\n
\"The presence of such a ministry is extremely necessary now
\nbecause Indonesia should catch up with other countries, such as
\nIndia, the United States and Japan, that have successfully
\ndeveloped information technology,\" he said. (rms\/har\/nur)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/controversy-widens-over-information-ministry-revival-1447893297",
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