Decree on press 'may be reviewed'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The new minister of information, Gen. R.
\nHartono, said yesterday that he would consider reviewing the 1984
\nministerial decree that empowers him to revoke the publishing
\nlicenses of newspapers and magazines.<\/p>\n
"Several issues in the 1984 Minister of Information Decree are
\nsubstantial enough for discussion," Hartono said after receiving
\nthe ministerial portfolio from his predecessor Harmoko.<\/p>\n
Hartono made no firm commitment not to revoke publishing
\nlicenses, but said it was up to press executives to discuss ways
\nof preventing any closures.<\/p>\n
"Everyone, the government and members of the Indonesian press,
\nhopes there will be no more revocation of publishing licenses,"
\nsaid the former Army chief of staff who remains in active
\nmilitary service until the end of this month.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Journalists Association's board of Honorary
\nCouncil's deputy chairman, Jakob Oetama, said yesterday the
\nentire press law should be reviewed. "The 1966 Press Law should
\nbe reformed to fit changes in local and international politics,"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Jakob said he hoped Hartono's appointment would bring fresh
\nair to the Indonesian press.<\/p>\n
Harmoko's 14-year tenure as information minister saw the
\nrevocation of publishing licenses of several periodicals,
\nincluding the Sinar Harapan daily in 1987, Prioritas daily in
\n1988. In 1994, three news magazines -- Tempo, Editor and DeTik
\n-- were closed down in one swoop.<\/p>\n
Hartono called on print and broadcast media to strive for
\ngreater professionalism.<\/p>\n
"We have many good newspapers. But some need improving," he
\nsaid but did not specify them.<\/p>\n
Promise<\/p>\n
Hartono promised he would try not to influence newspapers'
\neditorial policy. But said he would not hesitate to use his power
\nif he found any press articles threatened national security.<\/p>\n
Harmoko said after the hand-over ceremony that he had long
\nprepared to relinquish the cabinet post.<\/p>\n
"My father had frequently reminded me that I should prepare to
\nmake way for a successor as soon as I move into a new post in any
\norganization," said Harmoko, whom Soeharto has kept in his
\ncabinet as state minister of special assignments.<\/p>\n
Harmoko denied suggestions that he was surprised by his
\npremature replacement. "I've lost nothing. For me, it's a
\nblessing to be given the state minister of special assignments."<\/p>\n
Many people were surprised by the cabinet changes announced
\nlast Friday, recalling that President Soeharto had rarely changed
\nhis cabinet halfway through a five-year term.<\/p>\n
Hartono, who turned 56 Tuesday, reached the mandatory
\nretirement age for military officers last year when he turned 55.
\nPresident Soeharto then extended his service for one year.<\/p>\n
Hartono said he would be willing to act as a mediator in the
\ncurrent legal wrangle between PT IPTN, the state-owned aircraft
\ncompany, and The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
"The dispute should be settled through deliberation," he said.<\/p>\n
IPTN has threatened to take the Post to court for the way it
\ncovered a CN-235 plane crash in Serang, West Java, last month.<\/p>\n
IPTN's lawyers said Tuesday that their clients demanded that
\nthe Post take out full-page advertisements in various local and
\nforeign newspapers for three days to apologize for its erroneous
\narticle, and pay an undetermined amount of compensation.<\/p>\n
The Post has until Tuesday to respond to the demands before
\nIPTN's lawyers proceed with the court action.<\/p>\n
In a related development, Harjono Tjitrosoebono, chief of the
\nboard of trustees of the Foundation of the Indonesian Legal Aid
\nInstitute (YLBHI) and Soekardjo Adidjojo, a board member, said
\nyesterday they were not part of IPTN's team of lawyers as
\noriginally reported by newspapers.<\/p>\n
"I only gave them my legal opinion of IPTN's planned lawsuit.
\nI'm not part of the team," Harjono said. "I am not involved in
\nthe team and they never told me that my name was included in the
\nteam of 10 lawyers," he said. (imn\/05)<\/p>",
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