AJI establishes Yogya branch

YOGYAKARTA: The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), previously banned during the Soeharto era, established a branch here this week.

In a modest ceremony attended by local journalists, R. Fadjri was installed as chairman of the new branch on Wednesday.

AJI was set up in August 1994 by young journalists dissatisfied with the way the government-sanctioned Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) had responded to the government's closure of three publications -- Tempo, DeTik and Editor -- two months earlier.

During the Soeharto regime, AJI members were often coerced. Publications were also pressured to prevent their reporters from joining AJI.

However, with the climate of reform sweeping the country, the government has loosened its grip and has allowed independent organizations in various fields to be established. (23/44/ivy)