Government to review pess law if needed

JAKARTA (JP): The government is prepared to review the press law, including licensing procedures, if the Press Council suggests it, Minister of Information R. Hartono said yesterday.

"If the Press Council feels that a review is necessary, I will recommend to the government to draft the bill," said Hartono, who was speaking in his capacity as the council chairman.

Hartono acknowledged a need to synchronize the press law and the forthcoming broadcasting law, which is expected to be enacted soon. The House of Representatives endorsed the government- sponsored bill last week.

While the 1982 Press Law stipulates that the press is not subject to any official censorship, the government controls it through a licensing system.

Several newspapers and magazines have closed down after they lost their publication licenses. Tempo, Editor and DeTik magazines were the last to be shut, in one swoop in 1994.

Hartono opened the council's 41st plenary session yesterday. The gathering is expected to discuss whether or not to call for a review of the 1982 press law.

The council, the press watchdog, comprises government officials, media executives and representatives of the public.

Its deputy chairman, Kompas chief editor Jakob Oetama, said the meeting would also draw up a set of recommendations regarding the development of the industry for the 1998-2003 State Policy Guidelines which will be enacted by the People's Consultative Assembly in March.

Jakob said the industry faced new challenges, particularly from new, evolving, media.

The rapid growth of broadcast media had forced the press industry to reorganize, he said, adding that the press needed to be "adaptable, innovative and creative." (10)