KUHP contradicts press law

KUHP contradicts press law

JAMBI CITY, Jambi: Law No. 40/1999 on the press can not be implemented smoothly if legal enforcers instead use the Criminal Code (KUHP) in dealing with violations within and against the mass media.

Vice Chairman of the Press Council RH Siregar said on Thursday that legal enforcers were accustomed to charging journalists for violations in their stories.

"Legal charges are based on article 55 of the KUHP which contradicts the press law. The press law requires the police and other law enforcers to charge publishing companies for the violation," he said.

Siregar said there would not be real press freedom if the press law was not fully implemented.

He called on the press community and the police to seek ways to amend either the KUHP or the press law so that there was better uniformity. --Antara