Collusion seen in licensing publications

Collusion seen in licensing publications

JAKARTA (JP): Legislators of the Indonesian Democratic Party
(PDI) alleged yesterday that the issuance of new publishing
licenses are shrouded with secrecy and smell of collusion between
big business and government.

In a meeting with a delegation of Women for Freedom of the
Press (KPKP), PDI members expressed concern over tightened
government control of the mass media, critical in the promotion
of democracy.

"The condition is unhealthy for development of the mass
media," said legislator Sukowaluyo. Similar comments came from
legislators Sabam Sirait and Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno.

The women group met with members of the PDI faction in the
House of Representatives (DPR) concerned over what they see as an
inconsistency in the government's policy on publishing permits.

They questioned the way the government handled the publishing
permits applied for by journalists of Tempo magazine, closed down
in June together with two other weeklies, DeTIK and Editor.

In the aftermath of the media crackdown, Tempo employees were
split into two camps with one wanting to start a substitute
magazine Opini and the other Gatra.

The women representatives yesterday asked why the government
has issued the permit only for Gatra, which is funded by tycoon
Mohammad (Bob) Hasan, and let the other journalists cool their
heels waiting.

Collusion

The PDI House members and the women's group alleged that there
was collusion between government officials and private
businessmen in the process.

"The lack of clarity in the issuance of publishing permits
must be ended if the state is to be consistent about its pursuit
of democracy," Sukowaluyo said.

Promising that the PDI would raise the issue with Minister of
Information Harmoko, Soetardjo said he was worried that the
collaboration between businessmen and officials would result in a
press unable to defend the oppressed.

Spokesperson for the women's group, Emmy Hafild, said the
issuance of the publishing permit for Gatra, which will appear
soon, had raised a lot of unanswered questions.

There is speculation that the Ministry of Information has
refused to issue the permit for Opini because Tempo sued the
minister for banning it, she said.

She added that the group, which consists of representatives
from various non-governmental organizations and individuals, did
not mean to take sides in the conflicting Tempo camps.

"As ordinary citizens we care about our right to information,"
she said.

The women argued that the presence of big business in the mass
media industry would threaten its purpose with profit coming
first and foremost.

"It would even be worse if those in charge of the media are
closely tied to the ruling elite. If that were the case, they
would be serving not only their own interests but also those of
the elite," she said.

Now that the government is tightening its control over the
press, the present condition, she argued, is too conducive for
businessmen to invest in the media industry.(pan)