Calls increase for Bambang's release

Calls increase for Bambang's release

BATAM, Riau Islands: Scores of print and television
journalists protested on Monday outside the Batam District Court,
calling for the Supreme Court to release Tempo Magazine chief
editor Bambang Harymurti from all criminal defamation charges.

Grouped under the Batam Journalists Alliance, the journalists
unfurled banners and posters in a noisy protest outside the court
with messages such as "Don't Stop Press Freedom" and "Journalists
Are Not Criminals".

Bambang was sentenced in a Jakarta court to a one-year jail
term for criminal defamation earlier this year over an article
written about businessman Tommy Winata. He is free pending his
appeal to the Supreme Court. -- JP