Freedom of information bill debated

Freedom of information bill debated

JAKARTA: The Coalition for Freedom of Information has called
on the public to participate in the fight for freedom of
information through various forums of the House of
Representatives (DPR), following the establishment of special
committee on the bill on freedom of information.

"Establishment of the special committee is a positive
development for the enactment of the bill on freedom of
information," a coordinator for the coalition, Agus Sudibyo. said
here Tuesday.

All elements of the coalition needed to participate in
monitoring developments and in providing inputs regarding the
bill .

Agus said without the active participation of society, the
bill could be formulated in ways serving the interest only of
certain political forces.

"Closed-door discussions which do not involve the public will
only result in a bill which might be against the spirit of
democracy, transparency and public participation," Agus added.

The Coalition for Freedom of Information consists of various
mass organizations including the Independent Journalist
Association (AJI), the Rectors' Forum, the Indonesian Corruption
Watch, Institute of Information Studies, the Consortium for
National Law Reform, Indonesian Community of Transparency, and
Indonesian Center for Legal Studies and Policies.

Meanwhile, director of the Institute of Information Studies
(ISAI), Bimo Nugroho said, the bill on Freedom of Information
constituted progress for democracy in the country.

"We ask the media, academicians, and non governmental
organizations to actively monitor, publicize give inputs, for a
democratic law on freedom of information," Bimo said. --Antara