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