Libel charge against journalist protested

Libel charge against journalist protested

MANADO, North Sulawesi: Some 50 journalists in Manado staged a
protest on Thursday at the headquarters of the North Sulawesi
Police, demanding the police drop a libel charge against
journalist Lodie Tombeg.

Lodie, a journalist with Posko Manado daily, was declared a
suspect for allegedly damaging the image of President Megawati
Soekarnoputri in a recent article titled About Nadhlatul Ulama's
edict, the 'Greedy' keep silent.

The protesters demanded the police refer to the press law and
avoid criminal charges, but Sr. Comr. Johny Hutauruk, a spokesman
for the provincial police, said the case was a criminal matter.
-- JP