Better legal protection for journalists called for

JAKARTA (JP): Senior journalists yesterday stressed the need for self-restraint by security personnel and better legal protection for journalists as they go about their profession.

Aristides Katoppo, former chief editor of Suara Pembaruan daily, said in a discussion yesterday that it was important for police and other members of the Armed Forces to be able to refrain from targeting journalists during riotous situations.

He added that it would also be helpful if journalists were given survival training to face potentially hazardous situations.

The discussion, sponsored by a local radio station, was held under the cloud of the death of Yogyakarta-based Bernas daily reporter Fuad Muhammad Safruddin at the hands of unidentified thugs and the beatings by security personnel of several journalists covering the July 27th riots here.

Wina Armada, the deputy chief editor of Forum Keadilan magazine, pointed out that while situations vary, police in general should respect the rights of journalists.

He pointed to the press laws which stipulate that journalists are bound by the obligation to seek the truth and uphold justice. "Anyone interfering in a journalist's work in trying to establish these things is thus infringing the law," he remarked.

"If a police officer attempts to confiscate the camera of a journalist...then it is definitely wrong," said Wina who heads the Indonesian Journalist Association's (PWI) legal department.

Despite Wina's assertions, Aristides yesterday criticized PWI for being too meek in its protection of journalists. "There are no apparent efforts by PWI (to protect journalists)," he charged.

Separately, in Yogyakarta, legislators of the United Development Party said they would soon call for a hearing with the local police chief to gather information surrounding Safruddin's murder.

The reporter was killed at his home last month by two unknown assailants. His colleagues believe the murder was related to one of the stories he was working on.

Antara reported yesterday that legislator Ali Hardi Kiaidemak visited Yogyakarta and met with Safruddin's wife and presented her with some money collected by the party. (16/mds)