Govt rejects use of press law in libel disputes<\/p>\n
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The government challenged on Friday the Press Council's appeal
\nfor the Supreme Court to abide by the press law in cases
\ninvolving the media, saying the law was too lenient.<\/p>\n
State Minister of Communications and Information Syamsul
\nMu'arif said that the press law did not fulfill people's sense of
\njustice.<\/p>\n
\"Under the press law, for instance, a newspaper would only be
\nfined for a libelous report, while the damage inflicted on the
\nperson's reputation could be much greater,\" Syamsul said after
\nattending a meeting with the new members of the Press Council.<\/p>\n
He asserted that it was preferable to use the criminal code in
\ncases involving the media, unless the press law stipulated
\nheavier sentences.<\/p>\n
\"Publishing an insult could have a grave consequence as
\nmillions of people would read it. The media community should
\npropose a revision to the existing press law before we can apply
\nit,\" the minister said.<\/p>\n
In a meeting with Chief Justice Bagir Manan on Thursday, the
\nPress Council asked all judges to abide by Press Law No. 40\/1999
\nin cases against the press, instead of using the draconian
\nCriminal Code which was introduced in the Dutch colonial era.<\/p>\n
The Press Council underlined that the use of the Criminal Code
\nhad threatened freedom of the press.<\/p>\n
Press Council chairman Ichlasul Amal said on Friday that press
\nfreedom was characteristic of democracy.<\/p>\n
\"We understand that in upholding democracy there are conflicts
\nof interest, but the council is the agent to mediate those
\nconflicts,\" Ichlasul said.<\/p>\n
He asserted that only when press freedom was upheld, could the
\ncountry continue its democratization process.<\/p>\n
Syamsul officially submitted the presidential decree on the
\nappointment of new Press Council members.<\/p>\n
The press law says the council is not part of the government
\nbut an independent body whose jobs include mediating disputes
\ninvolving the media.<\/p>\n
Ichlasul said although the council is not a government agency,
\nthere is an urgent need for the government to help finance the
\nactivities of the council.<\/p>\n
The council hosted the meeting with Syamsul at its office
\nbuilding, which is not air conditioned nor equipped with standard
\nfacilities.<\/p>\n
\"We would like to show the minister that this (condition) is
\nwhat the council has to deal with,\" Ichlasul said.<\/p>\n
In response to the statement, Syamsul promised to convey the
\nPress Council's request to President Megawati Soekarnoputri.<\/p>\n
The courts jailed last month Rakyat Merdeka daily editors for
\ninsulting Megawati and House of Representatives Speaker Akbar
\nTandjung.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-rejects-use-of-press-law-in-libel-disputes-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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