Harmoko faces second lawsuit over `Tempo'

Harmoko faces second lawsuit over `Tempo'

JAKARTA (JP): In the latest move to protest the government's
closure of Tempo news weekly, 50 employees of the defunct
magazine have filed a lawsuit against Minister of Information
Harmoko, who revoked its publishing license in June.

This is the second suit filed against the minister in
connection with the demise of Tempo. The first was filed by the
weekly's former chief editor Goenawan Mohamad on Sept.7.

Chief of the Jakarta Administrative Court Benjamin
Mangkoedilaga told journalists at his office yesterday that the
court would examine both lawsuits at the same time because the
material is the same and the plaintiffs of both lawsuits are
represented by the same lawyers.

The court will make a preliminary examination of the case on
Oct.7 to determine whether or not the plaintiffs have a valid
basis for their lawsuits.

They are the first lawsuits in the country's history filed
against the government in connection with the revocation of
publishing licenses.

The government revoked Tempo's publishing license because of
certain aspects of its editorial content, although it was never
categorically stated which articles were deemed offensive. Editor
and DeTik lost their publishing licenses at the same time in
June for administrative reasons.

Minister of Information Harmoko has welcomed the challenge,
stressing that he too wants to settle this matter legally.

The revocation of the three magazines sparked a series of
demonstrations, which subsequently died down after the
authorities warned that they would take stern measures against
illegal street protests.

A number of former Tempo journalists are currently planning to
start a new magazine which they will call Opini. A company owned
by timber tycoon Bob Hasan has also offered former Tempo
employees the chance to start a magazine called Masa.

Both groups have apparently applied to the Ministry of
Information for a publishing license. (sim)