Press reticence linked to publishing requirement<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Obligatory publishing licenses for Indonesian
\nprint media and the continual threat of their revocation has made
\nthe press timid, a mass communications expert said Saturday.<\/p>\n
M. Budyatna from the University of Indonesia said requirement
\nof the license, or SIUPP, contributed to an uncertain future for
\nthe media.<\/p>\n
\"The publishing license can be revoked at any time without
\nclear explanation, rendering the Indonesian press timid,\"
\nBudyatna said when addressing a workshop for journalists in
\nPadang, West Sumatra.<\/p>\n
Budyatna, also dean of the university's school of
\nsociopolitical sciences, said the press was afraid to report on
\nsensitive issues which might lead to closure, or prohibited from
\nexploring them by the government.<\/p>\n
The government has closed many newspapers and magazines over
\nthe past 30 years, mostly for editorial content. The most recent
\nwere Tempo, DeTIK and Editor newsweeklies in 1994.<\/p>\n
Despite calls to end the license requirement, the government
\ninsists it is necessary to ensure the local press is \"free but
\nresponsible\".<\/p>\n
Budyatna detailed the press' role in the fight for
\nindependence during the colonial era and in promoting development
\nfollowing its achievement, Antara reported.<\/p>\n
He said the Indonesian press was not the government's enemy
\nas it had been during colonial times, and its mission to uphold
\ntruth and justice was undiminished.<\/p>\n
\"The press' efforts to uphold truth and justice cause it to
\nfall headfirst into the hands of its partners, namely the
\ngovernment,\" Budyatna said.<\/p>\n
He cited revocation of 18 publishing licenses since the 1970s.<\/p>\n
The press' courage in upholding truth and justice were useless
\nif they paid the high price of closure, he said, adding that
\npress solidarity under the circumstances was limited to
\nexpressions of commiseration.<\/p>\n
Closures caused a far-reaching impact, particularly in loss of
\nincome of reporters and staff of banned media.<\/p>\n
Budyatna said issuing a new license to replace the invalidated
\none does not help because it would take time to establish a new
\npublishing image among the readership.<\/p>\n
\"Closures of mass media without the media being able to defend
\nitself can create an unhealthy effect for a democratic press in
\nIndonesia,\" he said, adding that the 1982 revision of the Press
\nLaw of 1966 was a good start to creating freer press.<\/p>\n
He noted that freedom tied to responsibility is mentioned in
\nthe 1966 law, but said free should not be equated with \"anarchy.\"
\n(01)<\/p>",
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