Govt to review controversial press ban ruling, says Hartono

Govt to review controversial press ban ruling, says Hartono

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Information R. Hartono promised
yesterday the government would review its regulations on the
press, including the controversial 1984 ministerial decree that
allows press banning.

Hartono also said a review was needed to ensure that press
regulations remain relevant despite the changes brought by time.

"It's normal (that press regulations are reviewed), given that
there have been demands (for the review) and needs of the press
have developed over time," Hartono told reporters after attending
a plenary session of the working committee of the People's
Consultative Assembly.

Hartono, formerly the Army chief of staff, was named minister
of information last June, replacing Harmoko who held the post
since 1983. Harmoko is now House Speaker.

The 1982 Press Law rules out censorship and press banning, but
during Harmoko's term of office, the 1984 Minister of Information
decree was created.

The decree allows revocation of publishing permits for
publications which are considered to have made content or
administrative violations. The government does not call this
revocation a ban, though it effectively serves as a ban because a
publication cannot resume without permits.

At least six publication licenses have been revoked since
Harmoko held the post, including Sinar Harapan daily in 1986,
Prioritas daily in 1987, Monitor tabloid in 1990 and Tempo,
Editor weekly and DeTik tabloid in 1994.

"The making of new regulations will certainly not be carried
out subjectively, but through objective consideration," Hartono
said.

Several stipulations in the 1982 Press Law will also be
amended in accordance with suggestions by the Press Council,
Hartono said.

Hartono refused to give a timetable for the motion to review
the press regulations. He said his ministry and the office of the
state minister of administrative reforms were now concentrating
on a plan to have the status of state-owned TVRI television
station, currently managed by TVRI Foundation, changed into a
body under the Ministry of Information. (aan)