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