Journalists protest threats<\/p>\n
KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: The Southeast Sulawesi branch of
\nThe Association of Indonesian Journalists (PWI) and the Alliance
\nof Independent Journalists (AJI) have strongly protested against
\nthe intimidation of an RCTI correspondent over a report on
\nillegal logging.<\/p>\n
In their statements, the two organizations said that Hamrul, a
\nmember of local branch of the Indonesian Democratic Party of
\nStruggle (PDI Perjuangan) had threatened Paterai last Thursday
\nover reports on Dec. 25 2001 about the alleged involvement of the
\nhead of PDI Perjuangan provincial chapter in illegal logging.<\/p>\n
\"The threat by Hamrul is against the freedom of the press, as
\nstipulated by law No. 40\/1999,\" the statements said.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the journalists' defense team Nurhanuddin said
\nthat anyone violating the law was subject to a maximum penalty of
\ntwo years' imprisonment or a Rp 500 million fine.<\/p>\n
Chairman of PDI Perjuangan's South Sulawesi chapter Laode
\nRifai Pedansa said on Saturday that he had been questioned by
\npolice over illegal logging covering a total of 2,200 cubic
\nmeters of teak wood. \"But the questioning was more political,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Rifai said he had no idea about Hamrul's action, but admitted
\nto having been uneasy with the report. \"Hamrul's action might
\nhave been spontaneous because the alleged involvement of other
\npolitical parties in illegal logging was not reported. This was
\nnot fair,\" said Rifai. --Antara<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/journalists-protest-threats-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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