Protect the press!<\/p>\n
From Koran Tempo<\/p>\n
The Indonesian press has grown a very slow pace without any
\nsignificant progress, particularly compared to advanced countries
\nwhere press freedom is highly respected.<\/p>\n
As a democratic nation, Indonesia should truly guarantee press
\nfreedom by law. The 1999 Press Law interprets press freedom as
\nthe freedom to obtain information. In fact, the press seeks,
\ngains and conveys information and views by any means, while press
\nfreedom should be a right.<\/p>\n
In the past dictatorship regime, the press was subjected to
\ncensorship and even publication bans. Today, as the nation claims
\nto be democratic and uphold human rights, press control leads to
\nsegmentation under the influence of certain organizations,
\nideologies, political slants and even racial considerations.<\/p>\n
The press is thus disguisedly restricted by such forms of
\ndomination, especially through bribery, so that the social
\ncontrol function of the press is yet to be questioned.
\nJournalists have a responsibility to seek the truth, but some
\ncircles benefit from the limited income of reporters to dictate
\nand hide the truth.<\/p>\n
The government should therefore examine the problem and oppose
\nall attempts to muzzle the press. The public should protect the
\npress and fight all parties trying to utilize it for their own
\ninterests. We must start now, otherwise there will be no true
\nfreedom.<\/p>\n
GLORIA NATALIA
\nJatinangor, West Java<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/protect-the-press-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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