'Merdeka' newspaper shuts down temporarily<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The 53-year-old Merdeka newspaper has
\ntemporarily shut down its operations since April 23 due to
\n\"internal company matters\", its founder announced on Monday.<\/p>\n
However, another daily with an almost identical masthead,
\nRakyat Merdeka, hit the street on April 23, boasting an editorial
\nteam comprising almost all of the members of the editorial team
\nof Merdeka.<\/p>\n
\"We hereby inform the public that the leaders of Merdeka daily
\nare not involved nor responsible for the circulation of another
\npublication which has copied the characteristics and logo of
\nMerdeka,\" Herawati Diah of PT Merdeka Press said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Herawati's husband, the late B.M. Diah, founded Merdeka (which
\nmeans independence or freedom) daily on Oct. 1, 1945, less than
\ntwo months after Indonesia's Aug. 17, 1945, proclamation of
\nindependence.<\/p>\n
Herawati apologized to the newspaper's readers for the
\nabsence, vowing the daily would resume printing \"in the briefest
\nof time\".<\/p>\n
On the \"internal company matters\", Herawati said the leaders
\nof the daily saw fit to prevent the paper's \"independence and
\ncommitment to serve the public\" from being controlled by \"certain
\npolitical, economic and business interests\".<\/p>\n
\"The internal company matters will need administrative,
\ntechnical and legal settlements,\" she said.<\/p>\n
The management of Rakyat Merdeka could not be reached for
\ncomment. (aan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/merdeka-newspaper-shuts-down-temporarily-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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