Press freedom still seen as privilege, not right: Expert<\/p>\n
SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): The freedom of expression that
\nthe contemporary Indonesian press knows is still a privilege
\ngranted by the government, rather than a constitutional right, a
\nlegal expert said yesterday.<\/p>\n
Todung Mulya Lubis gave a critical view of press-government
\nrelations, saying that the public have been fooled into thinking
\nthat press freedom existed while actually the threat of bans are
\never present because the laws permit it.<\/p>\n
Citing the 1994 banning of several publications, Mulya said
\nthe "dark ages" for the press have been returning to reign. "The
\npower holders just can't accept a free press," he told The
\nJakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Three other observers -- communication experts Eduard Depari and
\nAshadi Siregar, and sociologist Loekman Sutrisno -- gave similarly
\ncritical views of the government's attitude to the press.<\/p>\n
Loekman mentioned press freedom and the democratic political
\nsystem in one breath. With a free press and a democratic
\npolitical system, he said, the government would succeed in
\neliminating corruption.<\/p>\n
"Remember, Indonesia is among the most corrupt countries in
\nthe world," he said. "Corrupt officials and thieves of the
\nstate's wealth would think twice (before committing violations)
\nif the press revealed corruption, while the public would increase
\nthe pressure for a clean government."<\/p>\n
"The question is whether the press dares to reveal corruption
\ncases objectively, free from the pressures of certain political
\ninterests," he said.<\/p>\n
Minister of Information Harmoko also shared a thought on the
\ncommemoration of the National Press Day, which is today and
\ncelebrated here. During the event, the Indonesian Journalists
\nAssociation (PWI) will also commemorate its 50th anniversary.<\/p>\n
He said after a meeting with President Soeharto yesterday that
\na journalist's foremost responsibility is toward his own
\nconscience. "It's their conscience which must dictate their
\nattitude and writing," he said.<\/p>\n
The next responsibilities are toward their publications, while
\nPWI is responsible for the guidance and development of
\njournalists, he said.<\/p>\n
Harmoko expressed his conviction that the concept of a
\ncrusading or struggling press is still relevant even today,
\ndecades after Indonesia achieved its independence.<\/p>\n
"The difference is in the direction of its struggle," he said.
\n"Then, the press struggled to help achieve independence. Now, it
\nstruggles to develop the nation."<\/p>\n
A call for greater freedom for the press was also made by
\nEduard Depari. The staff lecturer at the University of Indonesia
\nand Gadjah Mada University said the freedom is needed for the
\npress to function as a social control, and so that it can hold
\nthe power holders accountable.<\/p>\n
By the year 2020, when the world enters the era of trade
\nliberalization, Indonesia needs to be able to compete, and to
\nthink and act independently. "An ability to think independently
\nand critically can only grow if there's freedom of expression,"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Ashadi again brought up the question of press freedom and how
\nit hinged on the existence of press publication permits.<\/p>\n
In reality, he said, the government has never revoked any
\npermits for any reasons other than the content or journalistic
\nwork of the publications which it found offensive.<\/p>\n
It shows that the permits were used by the authorities in the
\nMinistry of Information as a means to control the press, he said.<\/p>\n
After criticizing the power holders' policy toward the press,
\nMulya switched his criticism to the press and said it should
\nexamine itself.<\/p>\n
The contemporary press is characterized by a concentration of
\nownership and of control in the hands of only a few people, he
\nsaid. "The press has become an industry and, as such, its freedom
\ncan be compromised," he said.<\/p>\n
Within the context of the press as an industry, he said, "Is
\nthe question of press freedom still relevant?"<\/p>\n
After saying that the press' existence is "in danger" because
\nof the lack of freedom, Mulya Lubis said that there was no reason
\nfor it to stop struggling to achieve its goal. "We have to have
\nhope and be optimistic," he said. (har\/swe)<\/p>\n
Editorial -- Page 4<\/p>\n
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