Minister Yunus Yosfiah claims he sides with the media

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)