Magazine ban

Magazine ban

From Sinar Pagi

I express my support to the recent demonstrations launched by
reporters and students following the revocation of publishing
licenses of three magazines -- Tempo, Editor and DeTIK.

Obviously as a result of the government's ban, many reporters
and employees have lost their jobs, which is a great concern to
the All-Indonesia Journalists Union (PWI) and Association of
Newspapers Publishers (SPS).

President Soeharto has emphasized that the press has the right
to criticize the government, but the criticism must be
constructive. So, even if the three magazines have made a
mistake, their chief editors should be held responsible and
brought to court, but not punished by the revocation of the
publishing licenses.

The society is expecting the era of openness to continue. The
ban, however, indicates that cries of openness are nothing but
empty words or sheer slogans. I hope that the banned media can
resume publication to give the employees and journalists a chance
to survive.

H.G. MALIKMASS

Pamulang, W. Java