Journalists want state funds

Journalists want state funds

PEKANBARU, Riau: About 50 journalists from local publications rallied on Monday to demand a share of the state funds allotted for the media, charging that only publications with ties to councillors received the money.

The chairman of the Riau Media Association, Maurit Simanungkalit, demanded that the money, amounting to Rp 4 billion (about US$449,000) last year, be shared equally among the local media.

"We also have a right to the money. Don't just subsidize five publications owned by our councillors," Maurit said.

Several councillors, including the head of the Riau legislative body, Chaidir M.M., own parts of five publications.

The head of the council's budget committee, Nur Bay Juss, promised to revise the allocation of funds in this year's budget.

Under the present plan, each of the five publications linked to the councillors are to receive Rp 300 million, whereas other media outlets get no money. -- JP