Mega tells officials to seek mediation over litigation

Fabiola Desy Unidjadja and Muninggar S.S., The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Megawati Soekarnoputri has told government officials to try and settle their disputes with the press through the Press Council before taking legal action.

During a meeting with the Association of Newspaper Publishers (SPS) on Wednesday, Megawati said she would instruct government officials to go through the Press Council first.

"The President agrees that the government will go to the police only if the Press Council fails to satisfy both disputants," SPS member Leo Batubara said after the meeting.

He said that during the meeting Megawati once again complained about the lack of professionalism shown by several newspapers.

"The President acknowledges that most newspapers are objective and professional, but there are some that are not balanced," Batubara said.

To address this situation, the SPS, led by media mogul Jakob Oetama, asked the President to support the organization's plan to provide training for journalists across the country to improve their level of professionalism.

There have been numerous disputes between the media and state officials, including Megawati, and several newspapers are facing libel charges.

The chief editor and executive editor of morning daily Rakyat Merdeka are now on trial for defamation for publishing an article that likened Megawati to convicted cannibal Soemanto. Defaming the head of state carries a maximum sentence of 16 months in jail.

Megawati has repeatedly complained about how the press exercises its freedom, and the excessive criticism of the government in the media.

The Press Council recently mediated in a dispute between the Jawa Pos media group and the chief of the Indonesian Military Education and Training Command, Lt. Gen. Djadja Suparman, over its report linking the general to the Bali bombings. The media group retracted its report following a meeting facilitated by the council.

The Press Council recently elected Ichlasul Amal, former rector of Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, as its new chairman for the 2003 to 2006 period. He replaces Astrakusumah Astraatmaja.

Lukas Luwarso, the council's executive director, said the council chose Amal for his leadership and integrity.

The fact that Amal is not a member of the media, Lukas said, would help the council bridge the gap between the media and state officials.

R.H. Siregar was elected the council's deputy chairman.

The President, who has the authority to appoint the members of the Press Council, has approved the election of Amal, R.H. Siregar, Sutomo, Santoso Parstho, Hinca I. Panjaitan, Amir E. Siregar, Sulastomo, Uni Z. Lubis and Leo Batubara to sit on the council for 2003-2006.

From April 2000 to Aug. 2003, the council received 427 complaints from members of the public, state officials and the media. Twenty-eight of these complaints eventually involved lawsuits against the media.