Minister Syamsul pledges 'TVRI's neutrality in general election

Minister Syamsul pledges 'TVRI's neutrality in general election

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

State television station TVRI will continue to maintain its
neutrality when covering the elections, the state minister of
communications and information assured the public on Wednesday.

Syamsul Mu'arif said TVRI management had created a
standardized coverage manual and a code of ethics for journalists
to help them stay independent during both the legislative and
presidential elections.

Despite the government ownership, TVRI had a special role to
encourage democracy in a pluralistic society, he said at a House
commission hearing on information here on Wednesday.

He said TVRI would give the same opportunities to all parties
contending the legislative elections and to all presidential
candidates.

National Mandate Party (PAN) legislator Djoko Susilo recently
alleged a recent major reshuffle in TVRI management was related
to a systematic use of the TV station's power to help President
Megawati Soekarnoputri win the presidential election in July.

Minister of State Enterprises Laksamana Sukardi, who is also a
PDI-P party executive, appointed on Tuesday a veteran TVRI
reporter, Nasirwan Uyun, as the TV station's new executive
director, news anchor Nunuk Parwati as its news director and Alex
Kumara as its program director.

Syamsul said besides the code of ethics, TVRI, other
television stations and printed media were required to comply
with the 2003 Election Law.

Article 73 of the law regulates that electronic and printed
media treat all election candidates equally.

Syamsul, a Golkar Party member, said that he was not involved
in the reshuffle. "That is the authority of the Office of the
State Minister of State Enterprises," he said.

The minister said the TV station had created an editorial
policy that was fully accepted by all the stations' regional
heads and news directors.