LOGO: Movement to oppose criminalization of the press
LOGO: Movement to oppose criminalization of the press
Safeguarding freedom of expression
Information is the key to the movement to combat corruption and militarism, the two greatest threats to Indonesia's budding democracy. However the public's right to know is now being scrapped through the practice of silencing the media and suppressing freedom of expression. Criminalization of the media is not the problem of the press alone, but is one that affects us all in our efforts to uphold democracy. Do not let press freedom and freedom of expression reach the brink of collapse. ------------------------------------------------------
"We call on you to do everything in your power to uphold Article 28 of the Indonesian Constitution which guarantees press freedom, and to fight for the removal of defamation laws from your country's criminal code."
- Letter from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) to President Megawati Soekarnoputri, Aug. 10 2004
"Don't jail journalists is the simple message we are sending today." - International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) media release, Sept. 6 2004
"SEAPA implores Your Excellency to stop the attacks on the media and to ensure that your own laws do not run against Indonesia's hard-won press freedom." - Letter from Southeast Asia Press Alliance (SEAPA) to President Megawati Soekarnoputri, Aug. 16 2004
"Excessive legal verdicts such as those which have lately affected a number of journalists and the press, have delivered the strong impression of intending to intimidate journalists, 'muzzling' the function of the media as a tool of control and undermining press freedom and democracy." - Statement of the Press Council, signed by chairman Ichlasul Amal, Sept. 3 2004
"We demand that law enforcers use the Press Law No. 40/1999 as a legal reference in media dispute cases." - Civilian Movement against Application of the Criminal Institution on the Press, signed by Munir, Teten Masduki, Asmara Nababan, Emmy Hafild, Bambang Widjojanto, Agus Sudibyo, Hadar Gumay, Iskandar Sonhaji, Aug. 31 2004
"To uphold press freedom we demand that law enforcers use Press Law No. 40/1999 to settle press disputes." - Statement on "Press Freedom is a Vital Pillar of Democracy", signed by Andi Mallarangeng, Hamid Basyaid, Ichan Loulembah, Indra J. Piliang, J. Giovannie, M.Chatib Basri, M. Ikhsan, Nono Anwar Makarim, Rizal Mallarangeng, Saiful Mujani, Sugeng Sukoarwoto, Ulil Abshar-Abdallah - Sept. 1, 2004
"We call on all parties to stop the entire process of criminalization of media institutions and individuals in any form, and to start a new chapter where all parties can respond to the press in a more proportional way." - Solidarity of Politicians against Criminalization of the Press, signed by Abdillah Toha, Fahmi Idris, Rizal Djalil, Djoko Susilo, Meilono Suwono, Sept. 2, 2004