Licensing for press defended

Licensing for press defended

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Information Harmoko, in his capacity
as chairman of the Press Council, yesterday defended the press
licensing system as a way to ensure the healthy development of
the Indonesian press.

Harmoko recognized that some people disliked the press
licensing system, but pointed out that this policy is
constitutional and is mandated by the 1982 Press Law.

He made the remarks in Bali during the 40th plenary meeting of
the Press Council, the industry's watchdog which is staffed by
government officials, press executives and public figures.

SIUPP, as the press licensing system is commonly known, is the
only legal tool at the government's disposal to control the
Indonesian press. There is no official censorship against
newspapers and magazines. Three news magazines lost their
licenses in 1994 for what the government called violations
against the terms of their license.

SIUPP will continue to be relevant as a means to guide the
development of the Indonesian press consistent with the Pancasila
ideology, Harmoko said.

The minister called the council's attention to what he saw as
continued violations by some members of the press corps, such as
mixing facts with opinions, or printing allegations that are not
supported by facts.

He said that it was out of the Pancasila Press's character to
"twist facts, print articles and pictures that are misleading or
sensational, and slanderous articles."

The press came under severe criticisms last month for going
overboard with the allegations of misconduct by Minister of
Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto, who was subsequently cleared
by President Soeharto. (31)