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At least six publication licenses have been revoked since Harmoko held the post, including Sinar Harapan daily in 1986, Prioritas daily in 1987, Monitor tabloid in 1990 and Tempo, Editor weekly and DeTik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