{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1479196,
        "msgid": "press-subsidized-by-local-government-1447893297",
        "date": "2004-01-03 00:00:00",
        "title": "Press subsidized by local government",
        "author": null,
        "source": "JP",
        "tags": null,
        "topic": null,
        "summary": "Press subsidized by local government Rusman and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Samarinda\/Jakarta Fifteen local media enterprises have received subsidies amounting to Rp 3 million (US$340) per publication from the East Kalimantan administration for their operations in 2004. The amount is bigger than last year when they received \"only\" around Rp 2.7 million.",
        "content": "<p>Press subsidized by local government<\/p>\n<p>Rusman and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Samarinda\/Jakarta<\/p>\n<p>Fifteen local media enterprises have received subsidies<br>\namounting to Rp 3 million (US$340) per publication from the East<br>\nKalimantan administration for their operations in 2004. The<br>\namount is bigger than last year when they received \"only\" around<br>\nRp 2.7 million.<\/p>\n<p>According to the provincial administration spokesman<br>\nSyafruddin Pernyata, the subsidy was routine aid given to the<br>\npublishing companies to support their business, to provide<br>\ninformation about developments in the region.<\/p>\n<p>\"If the local administration does not support them (the<br>\nmedia), then who will? We realize that the owners of publishing<br>\ncompanies are able to deal with the journalism side of the<br>\nbusiness, but they have difficulties due to their limited<br>\nbudget,\" Syafrudin said after handing over the funds to the<br>\npublishing companies recently.<\/p>\n<p>The funds have been disbursed from the provincial budget<br>\nallocated for public affairs and the allocation was approved by<br>\nthe local council, according to Syafrudin.<\/p>\n<p>The 15 companies, which received the subsidies, publish weekly<br>\nand monthly tabloids and magazines.<\/p>\n<p>The local administration also handed over funds for other<br>\nexpenditure. The amount, however, was not disclosed.<\/p>\n<p>\"We hope the local administration, the public and the media<br>\ncan establish a good relationship from now onwards. Indeed, we<br>\nalso hope that the press can maintain its function as public<br>\nmonitor,\" he said.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, media observer Atmakusumah Astraatmadja abhorred<br>\nthe subsidies for the local mass media, saying that it would<br>\naffect the independence of the press.<\/p>\n<p>He suggested the local administrations' public affairs<br>\ndepartments develop a relationship with the press, by among other<br>\nthings, providing appropriate press releases, instead of \"giving<br>\nmoney to buy such a relationship.\"<\/p>\n<p>\"I have on so many occasions told officials in charge of<br>\npublic affairs to stop providing subsidies for local media<br>\nbecause, whether we like it or not, it will prevent press from<br>\nbeing independent,\" Atmakusumah told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/press-subsidized-by-local-government-1447893297",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}