Political parties support free press

JAKARTA (JP): Major political parties contesting the next June 7 poll have expressed support for press freedom and pledge to strive for better protection for press workers.

"We believe that press freedom is very effective to watch the government in the implementation of development programs... and the conduct of their subordinates," Alex Litaay, secretary general of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) told The Jakarta Post by phone.

Alex cited a recent publication of a tapped conversation, supposedly between President B.J. Habibie and Attorney General A.M. Ghalib as "proof of the media's daring, revealing coverage."

"Controversy over the matter, whether it is breaching other people's privacy or merely serving news... enriches people's insight and critical thinking. We could not have done it in Soeharto's era. The media involved would have been shut down," he said.

Thanks to press freedom, Alex said, "President, ministers and governors will carefully speak and act from now on."

He said the party has consistently fought for democracy and freedom, "And if our party wins, we will strive for better protection for media workers."

Unions and associations among the media sprung up only after president Soeharto stepped down last May while there were previously few.

Abu Hasan Sazili, a Golkar legislator said that nowadays the main issue was not only press freedom but press workers' rights to a better income and protection in their jobs.

"Press workers must be free from pressure or intimidation." Risks in riot coverage, for instance, should be taken into account and protected by special rules. Moreover, many press workers are women now.

"Better salaries and welfare are also important. Currently, with media business booming, many companies only give away press card and let the reporters look for additional income. This is terrible," Abu said.

Fadli Zon, a Crescent Star Party (PBB) leader said his party has set a guideline on press freedom, aimed at a democratic but a responsible press.

"We pledge to strive for free access to information, freedom from fear and freedom from intimidation" among the media.

Corruption

Iskandar Muhaimin of the National Awakening Party (PKB) said while the party had no specific program regarding the press, "we want journalists and other media workers to be given more credit regarding their work. Media has a big role in determining the nation's fate.

"Furthermore, people are concerned over corruption, collusion and nepotism. We have to empower the press to cover this more," Iskandar added.

Many credit the comparatively current press freedom to Minister of Information Muhammad Yunus. He revoked the 14-year regulation introduced by his predecessor Harmoko which gave the minister the right to withdraw licenses of press publications, virtually closing them down based on unclear criteria, such as that a media publication failed to live up to the criteria of being "free and responsible."

Under Harmoko, several newspapers and magazines lost their licenses. New publishers spent much time and money getting new ones and observers said licenses had become a "political commodity" sold to those with only good connections.

Party leaders expressed their support to Yunus, calling him "the general that surprisingly opened the gate to press freedom."

"We are proud of him," Fadli said, "But we don't know whether to put him in charge in the next government ...But we support him and admire him deeply."

"Yunus is far better than Harmoko," Golkar's Abu said, "Whoever becomes the next minister of information, he or she must be able to follow in Yunus' steps. It is impossible to have an authoritarian figure as minister of information in this era."

The National Mandate Party (PAN) sees the necessity to amend the 1945 Constitution's Article 28 to constitutionally guarantee press freedom.

The present stipulation says: "The freedom to associate and to get organized, to express one's thinking either verbally or in writing etc will be determined by laws".

Santoso, PAN's deputy secretary general suggested an amendment saying, "'The freedom of the press and the citizens' rights to information is guaranteed'. Just that, with no additions," Santoso, a former journalist and former chairman of the Alliance of Independent Journalists said.

An alternative, he said, would be for future PAN legislators to push for the drafting of legislations that would guarantee press freedom and the right to information. Press activists have submitted their draft to the House of Representatives.

"The right to information for citizens is one of the main pillar of democracy... so public officers must be open to public inquiries... to press freedom, which is an absolute necessity," he said.

Santoso added if PAN was entrusted in the executive, the information ministry would be dissolved as part of the party's agenda to create a slimmer administration, but said it was also thinking of the fate of many civil servants which could be laid off.

Santoso said there should no longer be a government body that regulates the flow of information like the information ministry.

"Muhammad Yunus may have done a lot for press freedom in the country, but his ministry is useless... we'll encourage them to dissolve themselves," he said.

PAN, he added, would campaign for what many press observers and workers had been calling for: the establishment of a "media ombudsman" to watch over the press.

This ombudsman body would comprise respected media workers and society figures working to monitor the press. (edt/aan)