Journalists protest

Journalists protest

From Bisnis Indonesia

We the organization of journalists hereby protest President Abdurrahman Wahid's statements and attitude, which continually insults the press. His statements and attitude later became a means of justification for his supporters to act violently toward journalists and the media.

During the last year, acts of violence and intimidation toward journalists and the media by President Abdurrahman Wahid's supporters have dramatically increased in number.

It all began with the occupation of the Jawa Pos office in Surabaya on May 6, 2000, followed by violent acts committed against six journalists in Tegal, Central Java, on May 24, 2000.

We, therefore, sincerely request that the President stop making disparaging statements and displaying a harsh attitude toward the press. We ask this because that kind of behavior has directly and indirectly threatened freedom of the press, which is guaranteed by the Constitution and the Press Law No.40/1999.

Furthermore, we hereby urge the President and his government agencies to legally solve the incidents of violence and intimidation toward journalists, which so far have not been seriously investigated.

If the President considers that a certain media organization has made defamatory reports relating to him, we would encourage the President to settle the case legally. Meanwhile, freedom of the press must be respected and laws enforced.

DIDIK SUPRIYANTO

Secretary-General

Alliance of Independent Journalists

GUNARSO G. KUSUMODININGRAT

Chairman of Central Presidium

Council of Indonesian Press

HARIS JAUHARI

General Chairman

Association of Indonesian Television Journalists