Press subsidized by local government

Press subsidized by local government

Rusman and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Samarinda/Jakarta

Fifteen local media enterprises have received subsidies
amounting to Rp 3 million (US$340) per publication from the East
Kalimantan administration for their operations in 2004. The
amount is bigger than last year when they received "only" around
Rp 2.7 million.

According to the provincial administration spokesman
Syafruddin Pernyata, the subsidy was routine aid given to the
publishing companies to support their business, to provide
information about developments in the region.

"If the local administration does not support them (the
media), then who will? We realize that the owners of publishing
companies are able to deal with the journalism side of the
business, but they have difficulties due to their limited
budget," Syafrudin said after handing over the funds to the
publishing companies recently.

The funds have been disbursed from the provincial budget
allocated for public affairs and the allocation was approved by
the local council, according to Syafrudin.

The 15 companies, which received the subsidies, publish weekly
and monthly tabloids and magazines.

The local administration also handed over funds for other
expenditure. The amount, however, was not disclosed.

"We hope the local administration, the public and the media
can establish a good relationship from now onwards. Indeed, we
also hope that the press can maintain its function as public
monitor," he said.

Meanwhile, media observer Atmakusumah Astraatmadja abhorred
the subsidies for the local mass media, saying that it would
affect the independence of the press.

He suggested the local administrations' public affairs
departments develop a relationship with the press, by among other
things, providing appropriate press releases, instead of "giving
money to buy such a relationship."

"I have on so many occasions told officials in charge of
public affairs to stop providing subsidies for local media
because, whether we like it or not, it will prevent press from
being independent," Atmakusumah told The Jakarta Post.