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