Government to review pess law if needed<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The government is prepared to review the press
\nlaw, including licensing procedures, if the Press Council
\nsuggests it, Minister of Information R. Hartono said yesterday.<\/p>\n
\"If the Press Council feels that a review is necessary, I will
\nrecommend to the government to draft the bill,\" said Hartono, who
\nwas speaking in his capacity as the council chairman.<\/p>\n
Hartono acknowledged a need to synchronize the press law and
\nthe forthcoming broadcasting law, which is expected to be enacted
\nsoon. The House of Representatives endorsed the government-
\nsponsored bill last week.<\/p>\n
While the 1982 Press Law stipulates that the press is not
\nsubject to any official censorship, the government controls it
\nthrough a licensing system.<\/p>\n
Several newspapers and magazines have closed down after they
\nlost their publication licenses. Tempo, Editor and DeTik
\nmagazines were the last to be shut, in one swoop in 1994.<\/p>\n
Hartono opened the council's 41st plenary session yesterday.
\nThe gathering is expected to discuss whether or not to call for a
\nreview of the 1982 press law.<\/p>\n
The council, the press watchdog, comprises government
\nofficials, media executives and representatives of the public.<\/p>\n
Its deputy chairman, Kompas chief editor Jakob Oetama, said
\nthe meeting would also draw up a set of recommendations regarding
\nthe development of the industry for the 1998-2003 State Policy
\nGuidelines which will be enacted by the People's Consultative
\nAssembly in March.<\/p>\n
Jakob said the industry faced new challenges, particularly
\nfrom new, evolving, media.<\/p>\n
The rapid growth of broadcast media had forced the press
\nindustry to reorganize, he said, adding that the press needed to
\nbe \"adaptable, innovative and creative.\" (10)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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