President worried about press freedom
President worried about press freedom
JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie expressed his concern
over what he believed was abuse of press freedom on Tuesday,
which he said had reached an alarming level.
He acknowledged the rapid growth of both the international and
local media, the latter as the result of greater freedom obtained
through the reform movement, before going on to cite that
exaggerated and imbalanced news reports could cause confusion and
public unrest.
"We believe that press freedom is an important component of a
democracy. However, behind the freedom, the press is developing
worrisome behavior," the President said when he unveiled the
1999/2000 draft state budget in a House of Representatives
plenary session here on Tuesday.
The President reminded the media of its responsibility to
preserve national unity, which he said was important in the
context of building a modern civil society.
To establish a civil society, rational, objective and accurate
information is needed, he said. "Press freedom is necessary to
provide objective, fair, balanced and accountable news."
He pleaded for media employees to act professionally and to
consider what constituted violations of the press code of ethics.
Habibie also expressed deep concern over increasing
demonstrations, riots and public ignorance of the law because of
the prolonged economic crisis.
He criticized certain parties for being impatient of the
program of gradual reform that the government has launched and
for using demonstrations to try to force more rapid change upon
society.
"In certain situations, demonstration may be an effective way
to bring about change, but in other circumstances it may be
counterproductive," he said, pointing out that uncontrolled
mobilization of the masses could lead to rioting.
"A riot accompanied by violence and looting is a manifestation
of unhealthy political participation. It is anarchy, not
democracy," he said.
He called on the public to abide by the law on freedom of
expression, saying that it not only regulated how people should
express their opinions but also protected individual rights.
"In a plural society, individual rights should be respected,"
he said.
Habibie also spoke of the importance of law enforcement and
the necessity of firm action to handle riots, violence and
anarchy in order to create a safe and just society for the law-
abiding public. The President then went on to use this argument
to justify the recent establishment of the Council for
Enforcement of Security and Law (DPKSH).
He also said the planned establishment of a 40,000-member
civilian militia should be understood in the context of the
shortage of police personnel. Currently, the ratio between the
population and the police force was 1,100 people to every one
policeman, he said.
"The ideal ratio is 1:750. We still need 70,000 more police
personnel to enable the National Police to carry out its duties
at an optimal level," he said.
Despite objections, the government plans go ahead with its
plan to set up the militia, Habibie said.
In another part of his speech, Habibie emphasized the
importance of the June 7 general election in the process of
reconstructing and rehabilitating the nation.
"Through the general election, we will have a legitimate and
credible People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), House (DPR),
provincial and regency legislatures (DPRD I and DPRD II), and
government," he said.
The general election should therefore run in a free, fair and
transparent manner, he said. The polls should be monitored by the
government, political parties, non-governmental organizations,
universities, youth groups and other mass organizations, he
added. (rms)