Indonesian press enjoys freedom: PWI
Indonesian press enjoys freedom: PWI
JAKARTA (JP): The local media industry enjoys freedom although
not to the same degree as that found in the West, the leaders of
the Association of Indonesian Journalists (PWI) said yesterday.
"The print and electronic media are free to report anything
provided as long as they are based on facts and still in
compliance with the journalistic ethics code," PWI Chairman
Sofjan Lubis said.
Speaking during a media conference about an upcoming PWI
seminar to reflect the role of the Indonesian media in 50 years
of independence, Sofjan said press freedom should be applied in
the context of Indonesia's social, political and cultural
setting. "The press is still free, but the freedom is not similar
to that applied in other countries," he said.
Sofjan underlined that Indonesia has been pursuing a press
that is free and responsible and that the freedom that the press
has should be used in accordance with the Pancasila state
ideology.
"Press freedom in Indonesia is guaranteed by the
constitution," he said. "But there are limitations (on how far
the press can go). Publishers and broadcasters must avoid running
libelous matter, obscenities and other matters that may offend
their readers and viewers."
PWI Secretary General Parni Hadi, who accompanied Sofjan in
the meeting, described that the press in Indonesia is already
"very free".
"If the press is not free, then cannot criticize the
government," he said, adding that some newspaper publications
have even thrived on conflicts.
Sofjan said the Indonesian press also has a responsibility in
preserving national unity and cohesion and must therefore refrain
from publishing stories that could divide the nation, such as
those that exploit racial, ethnical and religious differences.
The one-day discussion organized by PWI on Wednesday will
feature senior journalists as speakers, including Rosihan Anwar,
Jacob Oetama of Kompas daily newspaper, Any Idrus of the Medan-
based Waspada daily, Sabam Siagian of The Jakarta Post and Zaim
Uhrowi of the Republika daily.
A press photo exhibition will be held at the same time at the
venue at Hotel Indonesia.
Sofjan also denied the suggestions that PWI has been a tool of
the government, pointing out that the association in the past
sought to reverse the government's rulings when three news
magazines were closed last year and a tabloid met a similar fate
a few years ago.
"PWI has done a lot of things," Sofjan said, pointing out that
when the effort failed, the association helped the displaced
journalists secure new press publishing licenses. (rms)