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)