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