Habibie vows to protect media freedoms
SEMARANG (JP): President B.J. Habibie assured the country's media leaders here on Saturday his government would protect their freedoms, saying there would be no more censorship or restrictions of the press.
Opening the 20th congress of the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) marked by a demonstration of dozens of students demanding his resignation, Habibie promised that no government official would be allowed to intimidate the media or prevent it from exercising its freedom of expression.
"The government will not interfere in any news reporting. The government will never dictate, direct or telephone the editorial board of a media organization about what news must be reported or not reported," Habibie said.
Over the years, the media often complained of government or Armed Forces (ABRI) officials frequently calling to tell them not to run politically sensitive stories, including on corruption or even sex scandals.
"The decision to report or not to report any news fully depends on the media itself," the President said.
Under the 32-year-long New Order regime of former president Soeharto, PWI was the only journalist organization recognized by the government. All journalists were obligated to become members.
A PWI recommendation was necessary not only for the establishment of a new publication but also for the promotion of any chief editors.
Two months after the government closed down weekly news magazines Tempo and Editor and tabloid DeTIK in June 1994, 58 journalists and antigovernment activists signed the Sirnagalih Declaration, in which they rejected the regulation forcing all journalists to join the association.
They also established the Independent Journalist Alliance (AJI), whose leader, Ahmad Taufik, was jailed for his activities to bring about a freer media.
The situation, however, changed in May after Habibie replaced Soeharto. Now, media workers are free to join or establish any organization. TV journalists recently established their own organization.
"The media's working spirit must be based on the principles of truth, honesty, justice, balanced coverage and the avoidance of any form of prejudice," the President noted.
During the ceremony, Habibie was accompanied by Minister of Information Lt. Gen. Muhammad Yunus, Armed Forces Chief Gen. Wiranto and Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung.
The main agenda of the two-day congress is to elect a new PWI executive board to replace the former board under Sofyan Lubis' leadership.
Lubis is the chief editor of the popular Pos Kota, which is half-owned by House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Harmoko.
Several senior journalists, including the official news agency Antara's general manager, Parni Hadi, and Dahlan Iskan of Jawa Pos, have been named as possible candidates to replace Lubis.
The opening ceremony was held at the governor's official residence, Wisma Perdamaian. The construction of the Rp 7.1 billion house in 1996 sparked controversy because then Central Java governor Suwardi said at the time it would be the country's most luxurious governor's mansion.
The students ended their protest soon after the President and his entourage left the venue. (har/prb)