Harmoko faces second lawsuit over `Tempo'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): In the latest move to protest the government's
\nclosure of Tempo news weekly, 50 employees of the defunct
\nmagazine have filed a lawsuit against Minister of Information
\nHarmoko, who revoked its publishing license in June.<\/p>\n
This is the second suit filed against the minister in
\nconnection with the demise of Tempo. The first was filed by the
\nweekly's former chief editor Goenawan Mohamad on Sept.7.<\/p>\n
Chief of the Jakarta Administrative Court Benjamin
\nMangkoedilaga told journalists at his office yesterday that the
\ncourt would examine both lawsuits at the same time because the
\nmaterial is the same and the plaintiffs of both lawsuits are
\nrepresented by the same lawyers.<\/p>\n
The court will make a preliminary examination of the case on
\nOct.7 to determine whether or not the plaintiffs have a valid
\nbasis for their lawsuits.<\/p>\n
They are the first lawsuits in the country's history filed
\nagainst the government in connection with the revocation of
\npublishing licenses.<\/p>\n
The government revoked Tempo's publishing license because of
\ncertain aspects of its editorial content, although it was never
\ncategorically stated which articles were deemed offensive. Editor
\nand DeTik lost their publishing licenses at the same time in
\nJune for administrative reasons.<\/p>\n
Minister of Information Harmoko has welcomed the challenge,
\nstressing that he too wants to settle this matter legally.<\/p>\n
The revocation of the three magazines sparked a series of
\ndemonstrations, which subsequently died down after the
\nauthorities warned that they would take stern measures against
\nillegal street protests.<\/p>\n
A number of former Tempo journalists are currently planning to
\nstart a new magazine which they will call Opini. A company owned
\nby timber tycoon Bob Hasan has also offered former Tempo
\nemployees the chance to start a magazine called Masa.<\/p>\n
Both groups have apparently applied to the Ministry of
\nInformation for a publishing license. (sim)<\/p>",
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