'Republika' told to use its right to reply<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) called on Saturday
\nfor the Republika daily to exercise its right to reply instead of
\nresorting to legal action in response to a report run by The
\nJakarta Post which it says has damaged its image.<\/p>\n
In a statement released by AJI chairman Edy Suprapto, the
\nalliance said Press Law No. 40\/1999 recommended that the courts
\nbe the last resort for settling dispute over reports carried in
\nthe media.<\/p>\n
\"The taking of legal action by Republika is a legitimate
\noption, but AJI believes that disputes such as this one should be
\nsettled through the mechanisms provided by the Press Law,\" Edy
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Besides, Republika could file a complaint with the Press
\nCouncil or other press organizations.<\/p>\n
Edy said that if these measures were taken, it would help both
\nparties to make internal improvements and maintain press freedom.<\/p>\n
AJI was commenting on a front page story in the Nov. 13
\nedition of the Post, which said that people close to the ruling
\nIndonesian Democratic Party of Struggle had injected fresh
\nfunding into Republika, a report which was denied by the latter.<\/p>\n
Eddy Suprapto urged the English-language daily to apologize
\nfor the unsubstantiated report.<\/p>\n
He said AJI was concerned with the dispute between the
\nnewspapers, which had been caused by inaccurate reporting and the
\nfailure to uphold the cover-both-sides principle, a principle
\nthat was essential to good journalism.<\/p>\n
\"Media outlets are free to find and disseminate information
\nand ideas but these should be accurate, correct and objective,\"
\nEddy said.<\/p>\n
Republika's publisher PT Abdi Bangsa has denied any links to
\nmembers of President Megawati Soekarnoputri's party.<\/p>\n
\"The report by the daily (the Post) has greatly prejudiced us
\n-- not only our image but also our independence,\" PT Abdi Bangsa
\npresident Erick Tohir told a media conference on Thursday.<\/p>\n
In its clarification, the Post admitted the report was
\nunsubstantiated, inaccurate and not supported by hard facts.<\/p>\n
\"Although it was not intentional on the part of the Post, we
\nregret whatever negative consequences this news report has
\ncaused,\" the daily's chief editor, Raymond Toruan, said.<\/p>",
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