'Editorial board legally responsible for content'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The director of the Jakarta-based Dr. Soetomo
\nPress Institute said on the witness stand in the Suara Independen
\ntrial yesterday the magazine's editorial board was responsible
\nfor the publication.<\/p>\n
Atmakusumah said the South Jakarta District Court must find
\nout who was on the editorial board although the (unlicensed)
\nmagazine, Suara Independen, carried no masthead listing board
\nmembers. He said the board members were legally responsible for
\nthe content of the magazine.<\/p>\n
"How could the magazine exist without an editorial board?" he
\nasked.<\/p>\n
Atmakusumah was testifying in the trial of Andi Syahputra, 32,
\ncharged with defaming President Soeharto by printing an illegal
\nmagazine containing offending articles.<\/p>\n
He told the court that under Indonesian Press Law, general
\nmanagers, chief and managing editors, or reporters were
\nresponsible for the content of their media.<\/p>\n
The title of one of the magazine's articles is considered
\ninsulting to President Soeharto.<\/p>\n
When asked by judges whether or not the title defamed the
\npresident, Atmakusumah said; "It is defamatory if you read it
\nliterally, but symbolically it's not defamation. The words come
\nfrom a fairy tale".<\/p>\n
Another witness, a researcher from the Language Development
\nCenter at the Ministry of Education and Culture, said the title
\nwas defamatory.<\/p>\n
"It's defamation. The title is both explicitly and implicitly
\ninsulting," witness Andi Sunaryo said.<\/p>\n
Defense lawyer Irianto Subiakto asked him to look at the title
\nin context before making his statements, but he maintained it was
\nslanderous.<\/p>\n
The witness also testified that one of the articles said 600
\nof the 1,000 members of People's Consultative Assembly were
\nappointed by president, so the assembly was not representative of
\nthe people. "This could create hostility among the people," the
\nwitness said.<\/p>\n
Judge Haryono said he did not agree. "It has not created
\nhostility. It is a fact that everybody knows," he said.<\/p>\n
The trial was adjourned until next week. (13)<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/editorial-board-legally-responsible-for-content-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }