Messages of sympathy flow in to the closed magazines<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Messages of sympathy flowed into the offices of
\nTempo, Editor and DeTIK magazines today, consoling journalists
\nand employees who face uncertainty following the revocation of
\ntheir publishing licenses.<\/p>\n
Laughter and cheers filled the fifth floor of the Prioritas
\nBuilding in Central Jakarta, where DeTIK has been operating, as
\njournalists read aloud every message that came on their fax
\nmachine or from the mail, some coming even from Australia.<\/p>\n
The mood was slightly relaxed as the journalists joked that,
\nat least they were no longer pressed for deadline.<\/p>\n
Chief Editor Eros Djarot read one sympathetic letter from the
\nThe Sidney Morning Herald.<\/p>\n
"We've also received phone calls from some government
\nofficials expressing their regret over the ban," Eros said.<\/p>\n
There were letters of condolence from regular advertisers and
\ndistributing agencies, who were part of DeTIK's success story in
\npushing its circulation up to nearly 500,000 over the past year.<\/p>\n
An entire stack of papers in the corner of the documentation
\nroom was reserved for letters from readers.<\/p>\n
While expressing anger and regret, the letters praised the
\nmagazine for having chosen the right stance and for quenching the
\nreaders' thirst for insightful information.<\/p>\n
"The endless incoming letters of sympathy show that we have
\nfulfilled our mission well," Eros said.<\/p>\n
"The ban is killing the hopes and the dreams of young people
\nfor justice, democracy and openness," he said. "The most critical
\nand difficult challenge now is how to regain our confidence."<\/p>\n
Financial losses<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, dozens of loyal news agents visited Tempo's office
\nat the Bukaka Building, seeking further explanation about the
\nmagazine's sudden end.<\/p>\n
One woman who runs a news agent in Jakarta said the ban
\nagainst Tempo will mean substantial financial losses to many news
\nagents because the magazine is one of the best selling items.<\/p>\n
The board of employees' representatives held a meeting
\nyesterday to discuss their future at Tempo, now that the magazine
\nis virtually defunct.<\/p>\n
"We discussed `belt-tightening' measures and had a
\nbrainstorming session to review various alternatives," Robin Ong,
\na photographer of the magazine said. "Most of us never imagined
\nthis would happen, so we weren't prepared."<\/p>\n
Telephones rang continuously as letters and telegrams arrived,
\nall expressing their sympathy.<\/p>\n
"Some readers simply could not accept the official explanation
\nand asked for the real reasons behind the ban," Robin said,
\nadding that the editors could not answer this question.<\/p>\n
At the Editor's office in Kampung Melayu, East Jakarta, the
\nreporters were also puzzled at the official explanation for the
\ncancellation of their license. (prs)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/messages-of-sympathy-flow-in-to-the-closed-magazines-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}