House members express caution on press bill

House members express caution on press bill

JAKARTA (JP): A proposed clause in a draft bill on the press
and broadcasting media which some believe will lead to immunity
before the law for the press has prompted anxiety in the House of
Representatives.

The proposal in the draft drawn up by Indonesian Press and
Broadcasting Society (MPPI) was raised Tuesday in a meeting
between the society and Commission I, which, among other things,
oversees press issues.

Representatives of the society have said the clause was needed
in the public interest.

The proposed clause reads, "Criminal codes and other
regulations related to press freedom are to be waived for
reporters doing their jobs in the public interest."

A legislator said this was "dangerous."

"Everybody is treated equally before the law ... and we House
members are not immune to the law either," a member of the
Golkar ruling faction, Arijanti Bambang Sigit Prakoeswo, said.
"The clause is very dangerous."

"Such a rule will put tremendous power in the hands of
journalists. ... We have to clarify the term 'public interest'
here ... what kind of action is considered in defense of the
people?" Arijanti said.

Chairwoman of Commission I, Aisyah Amini, agreed, pointing out
that the press often stepped over the line.

"I am myself the victim of freedom of the press here," she
said, citing herself and other legislators as the target of a
widely quoted axiom that highly paid House members only "sit,
listen, sleep and get money." These reports are "very painful"
and develop an "ugly image" of the House, she said, while members
were helpless against such reports.

Atmakusumah, the executive director of the Dr. Sutomo Press
Institute, said a journalists' code of ethics enabled reporters
to seek information any way possible, particularly if access to
necessary information was closed.

"But don't see the proposed clause as immunity before the law,
because the journalists would also have to face the law if
caught," he said, citing the theft of documents.

Leo Batubara, secretary-general of the Association of
Newspapers Publishers (SPS), told the commission that the old
press law included too many penalties.

He urged legislators to use their right of initiative in
placing the press law on the current agenda of bill
deliberations. The House hopes to complete deliberations on the
25 bills in its remaining 16 weeks in office.

Leo said it was urgent to have the press law passed ahead of
the June polls. It guaranteed press freedom which he said was
important amid the political tension.

"The press has the right to seek, gain, process, publish,
broadcast and spread information among the people," Leo stated,
reading the draft press bill initiated by the group.

Leo pointed out there were 35 articles defining press offenses
in the present law.

All laws regulating the three information industries were
enacted by the former Soeharto government. The Indonesian press
is regulated by a 1982 law, the broadcasting industry by a 1997
law and the film industry by a 1992 law. (edt)