'Tempo', 'DeTik' set to restart publication<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Journalists from the banned newsweeklies Tempo
\nand DeTik have seized on rejuvenated freedoms of expression by
\nannouncing their intention of reestablishing the publications
\ndespite financial constraints.<\/p>\n
DeTik, published in tabloid format, may be back on newsstands
\nwithin two weeks. Tempo magazine is expected to republish in a
\nrevised format in six months.<\/p>\n
Former general manager of DeTik Eros Djarot said the tabloid
\nwas set to be back in business within a fortnight even without a
\npublication license.<\/p>\n
\"We had planned to (hit the streets) on Wednesday (June 3) but
\nthere are still legal matters to take care of,\" Eros told The
\nJakarta Post Saturday.<\/p>\n
Republishing without a license, Eros said, \"is a witness to
\nour consistent stand to advocate the freedom of the press, that
\nno power can tear us (DeTik) apart\".<\/p>\n
Eros said he hoped the plans could be realized around June 10.<\/p>\n
Goenawan Mohamad, the former chief editor of Tempo, conceded
\nit would not be easy to start up the magazine again in the
\neconomic crisis.<\/p>\n
Goenawan, who was accompanied by secretary of Tempo's Alumni
\nFoundation Putu Setia, the magazine's deputy chief editor Fikri
\nJufri and Zulkifli Lubis, said a special team had been
\nestablished for handling the logistics of restarting publication.<\/p>\n
He said a group of friends had stated its willingness to
\nfinance the reestablishment of the magazine, which he pledged
\nwould be different from the host of newsweeklies on the market.<\/p>\n
\"Why republish the magazine if we do not offer anything new?\"
\nGoenawan said.<\/p>\n
Fikri said this was an important consideration as several
\nnewsmagazines, taking up Tempo's logo and newswriting style,
\nappeared shortly after its permit was revoked.<\/p>\n
He said the new edition of the magazine must woo readers with
\nfresh draws.<\/p>\n
Freedom<\/p>\n
Goenawan, Fikri and Putu agreed in a meeting at the Tempo Cafe
\nin East Jakarta yesterday that freedom of the media was
\nimperative.<\/p>\n
\"Whether Tempo will be republished or not is unimportant, the
\nimportant thing is that the government must now guarantee freedom
\nof the press,\" Goenawan said. He urged the government to abolish
\na ministerial decree allowing revocation of publication permits.<\/p>\n
Tempo was closed down in June 1994, together with Editor and
\nDeTik. Tempo was faulted for its critical report of the
\ngovernment's purchase of used ships from Germany, while the
\nbanning of the two other publications was attributed to
\n\"administrative violations\".<\/p>\n
DeTik was owned by PT Detik Bangun Media Prestasi under the
\nYayasan Mulya foundation. In 1996, the now defunct Target
\ntabloid, with a strikingly similar layout, was published and
\ntouted by many as DeTik's replacement after gaining a new license
\nunder a new company.<\/p>\n
Eros at the time denied that Target -- with majority shares
\nowned by Agung Laksono, the director of the private AN-Teve
\ntelevision station and an executive of the ruling Golkar grouping
\n-- was a substitute for DeTik. Agung is now state minister of
\nyouth affairs and sports. (byg\/anr)<\/p>",
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