Harmoko denies monopolizing TV air time for Golkar

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Information Harmoko rejected accusations yesterday that he is monopolizing television air time for the ruling political group Golkar, which he chairs.

Golkar's rivals, the United Development Party (PPP) and the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) have equal access to the nation's TV networks, Harmoko said in a meeting with Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR), which handles information matters.

The hearing turned into a heated debate when PDI legislator Sophan Sophiaan reiterated his party's objection to Harmoko's conspicuous appearance on TV newscasts almost every night in his capacity as Golkar chairman.

Sophan said this amounted to covert campaigning, which is in violation of a consensus between the three political organizations to leave all campaigning to the last month before general elections.

Harmoko, who was elected as Golkar chairman last year, argued that his day-to-day activities in Jakarta and the provinces in both of his capacities were all worth reporting on television.

"We invite and pay TV reporters ... If the other political organizations can afford it, they can do the same," he said amid thundering laughter from those attending the hearing.

"So is it a matter of money?" shouted Sabam Sirait, another PDI legislator. "No, it's about procedure," Harmoko replied.

Harmoko, whose cabinet portfolio empowers him to virtually control the mass media -- including TV stations -- suggested that the PDI and PPP leaders follow his example and invite TV journalists to cover their activities so that they too can appear on television every evening.

PPP's Amin Imron reinforced the criticism, saying that just like PDI, PPP has little access to the state-run TVRI. He pointed out that no concrete reasons were ever given for this.

Aisyah Aminy, the commission's chairperson who hails from PPP, pointed out that confusion often resulted from Harmoko's dual capacity. "It's amazing that he can shift capacity any time simply by changing the color of his shirt," she said.

Closure

The meeting also focused on the government's closure of the Tempo, Editor and DeTIK weeklies in June.

Harmoko repeated his promise to issue new publishing permits for the displaced journalists but noted that they have yet to comply with the requirements set by the government.

Tempo journalists have split into two camps, with one wanting to start a self-financed magazine called Opini and the other anxious to receive financial backing from tycoon Bob (Mohammad) Hasan to start their magazine, which is to be called Masa.

Harmoko said none of the applicants have fulfilled the terms for a new publishing license, including letters of recommendation from the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) and the Association of Indonesian Newspaper Publishers (SPS).

"Publishing permits will be issued only for responsible media," said Harmoko, who also chairs the Press Council which, together with the government, plays a major role in deciding the fate of a newspaper.

Responding to a question from the floor, Harmoko ruled out official recognition of the Association of Independent Journalists (AJI), which was set up by journalists who were discontented with PWI's inability to defend its members in the wake of the June media crackdown.

He said the government recognizes only PWI as the legitimate journalists association.

"The establishment of AJI is not the first to challenge PWI. In 1976, some journalists set up the Press Club but the government did not give it the right to live," he said. (pan)

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