MPR urged to issue decree on freedom of information

JAKARTA (JP): A group of communications experts and practitioners have called on the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) to pass a decree on freedom of information during its special session between Nov. 10 and Nov. 13.

In a news conference here on Tuesday, the Indonesian Press Society said it would submit a draft Decree on Freedom of Information to the Assembly on Wednesday morning and urged the body to adopt it.

Senior journalist Atmakusumah Astraatmadja, chairman of the Newspaper Publishers Association (SPS) Leo Batubara and journalist Muhammad Ridlo Eisy announced the plan.

"The draft decree is not long and it's general (in nature)... it won't cause the MPR much bother," Ridlo said. The draft decree contains only five articles.

Leo said the draft decree sought to amend the potential for abuse of power under Article 28 of the 1945 Constitution, which allows for a law to be established to regulate people's freedom to assemble and to express their opinions verbally and in writing.

The document would oblige the state to guarantee the freedom to express creations, works and ideas, and uphold the rights to communicate and obtain information.

It seeks to prohibit state agencies at national and regional levels from establishing legislation that could limit press freedom.

The draft decree also seeks to assign the President and the House of Representatives to establish legislation guaranteeing freedom of expression, freedom to communicate and freedom to obtain information.

The MPR is now "technically" closed to public input to its agenda for the upcoming November session since its Working Committee (BP-MPR) sat for the last time on Oct. 1.

When asked, Ridlo said the MPR should not allow "technical matters" to get in the way of passing the proposed decree.

The BP-MPR has recommended that a MPR draft decree on general sessions and 12 other draft decrees including one on human rights should be passed at the November session.

Leo added: "This draft decree (on freedom of information) is important... for the establishment of a strong civil society, a society in which people's sovereignty reigns."

"To be sovereign, people must have guaranteed access to information," he said.

Atmakusumah, the director of the journalism school at Dr. Soetomo Press Education Institute (LPDS), said the Assembly would be able to show that if belonged to the reform era if it came through and passed the decree.

"Our chances also depend on press (support) for the (campaign)," he said when asked how optimistic the group were of success.

The Indonesian Press Society also intends to submit three separate bills on the press, broadcasting and film. (aan)