Minister Yunus Yosfiah claims he sides with the media

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Information Yunus Yosfiah in a brief meeting with about a dozen journalists grouped in the newly formed Indonesian Press Solidarity Society (SMPI), said he supported the establishment of alternative media organizations other than the government-recognized Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI).

"Allowing only one association is similar to a monopoly and collusion... Journalists can have not only two but even more associations," Yunus maintained.

The government only recognizes PWI as the sole organization for journalists and generally requires reporters and editors to be members of the association.

SMPI, spearheaded by members of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), passed on a 10-point statement to the minister yesterday, holding him accountable for his inauguration statement Monday in which he said he would support journalists in their profession.

Controversial

Yunus said Monday he would review the country's controversial press and broadcasting laws.

SMPI urged the government to, among other things, scrap all regulations which hamper press freedom such as the regulation allowing revocation of publication permits and broadcasting permits.

It also urged the government to revise the 1982 Press Law.

"For 32 years, the press has been censored, repressed to such point that it cannot develop well," journalist Roy Pakpahan said before he passed the statement to the minister.

Yunus -- accompanied yesterday by Director General of Radio, Television and Film Ishadi SK and Director General of Press and Graphics Dailami -- addressed every point of the statement himself.

He claimed to be sympathetic to the journalists' cause.

"I am on your side," Yunus, an active Army lieutenant general, said.

Yunus welcomed the suggestions, which he said should be taken into consideration.

"I have been looking for input from the press community and have conducted a marathon study in the past three days. Insya Allah (God willing), I will not disappoint you," he said.

Yunus did not shy away from addressing sensitive points raised by SMPI such as "terror, intimidation and the telephone culture imposed on press workers".

His frank replies often received a big round of applause from those attending the meeting, which included former editor in chief of the banned Tempo weekly, Goenawan Mohamad.

Upon closing the meeting, Yunus tried to reassure the attendees that he was not merely using rhetoric.

"You just wait and see, the implementation of all the answers I have given you," he remarked

But when pressed for a time frame, he merely responded "as soon as possible... in accordance with the existing rules".

Meanwhile, the Newspaper Publishers Association (SPS) also called on the government yesterday to "show good political will" by returning the rights of banned publications to resume publishing.

It also said that journalists who had been sanctioned because of their critical writing must have their good names restored. (aan)