PWI, SPS oppose new press rulings<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Indonesian Journalists (PWI)
\nand the Association of Indonesian Publishers (SPS) have joined
\nforces in calling on the government to annul a newly issued
\ndecree allowing it to freeze errant media's publishing licenses
\nfor an unspecified period of time.<\/p>\n
The organizations claim the ruling -- replacing the
\ncontroversial ministerial decree which effectively sanctioned
\npress bans as it allowed former president Soeharto's regime to
\nrevoke publishing licenses -- is open to numerous interpretations
\nand in many ways similar to the previous decree.<\/p>\n
In a statement yesterday the two organizations said Article 23
\nof the new Minister of Information Decree No. 1\/1998 should be
\nannulled.<\/p>\n
Critics say the vague formulation allows the government to
\nissue suspensions for indefinite periods.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, ParOn tabloid and the Bandung Pos daily separately
\nannounced yesterday they would cease publication as of today.<\/p>\n
Bandung Pos blamed the monetary crisis, skyrocketing
\nproduction costs and the fact that 90 percent of subscribers, who
\nare government offices, defaulted on their subscriptions.<\/p>\n
ParOn managing editor Agus Basri said in a statement that the
\ndecision to close was made in an editorial staff meeting after
\nits investor Mohamad \"Bob\" Hasan decided to pull out.<\/p>\n
ParOn's last edition bore the front cover headline Tanah
\nKeluarga Cendana Seluas Jakarta (Cendana Family's Land is as
\nLarge as Jakarta), referring to alleged business holdings of the
\nSoeharto clan. (rms\/43)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pwi-sps-oppose-new-press-rulings-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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