Publishers pledge to prevent further bans on news media
Publishers pledge to prevent further bans on news media
BOGOR, West Java (JP): Newspaper publishers yesterday pledged
to make an all-out effort to prevent further government bans
against newspapers and magazines by enhancing communication among
themselves.
This was one of the outcomes of the congress of the
Association of Newspaper Publishers (SPS) here yesterday which
was convened on the heels of the government's recent decision to
revoke the publishing licenses of Tempo, DeTIK and Editor news
magazines.
Outgoing SPS chairman Handjojo Nitimihardjo told reporters
yesterday that the press industry must take care of itself in the
future, namely through enhanced communication among the various
newspapers and magazines.
"We've got to remind one another about the possible pitfalls
and avoid outcomes which none of us want," Handjojo said
referring to the bans of the three magazines.
The association had urged the government to allow the three
magazines to reappear immediately after the bans were publicly
announced on June 21.
Earlier in the day, the SPS conference received a delegation
from a group calling themselves the "Solidarity of Independent
Journalists" who expressed their concern about the bans.
The solidarity group, which now claims more than 370 members,
urged the SPS to ensure that in the future the government is not
able to close newspapers or magazines at will.
They said newspapers should be regulated in the same more
transparent manner that investments are supervised by the
government.
The conference yesterday elected new leaders of the executive
board: Sugeng Wijaya as chairman, F.L. Batubara as Secretary
General, Jacob Oetama as chairman of the advisory council and
L.E. Manuhua as chairman of the honorary council.
The association urged the government to take steps to reduce
the price of newsprint, saying that the rates in Indonesia are
among the highest in the world.
Handjojo pointed out that newsprint in Indonesia is controlled
by only two suppliers while imports are subject to a hefty 55
percent tariff.
Ratio
The association pointed out that the ratio of newspaper to
citizen in the country is 1 to 40, one of the lowest in Southeast
Asia, putting Indonesia on par with Bangladesh.
The association agreed to postpone the introduction of remote
printing, a system that allows newspapers to be printed in
different cities at the same time, because of fears that it might
jeopardize the existence of smaller regional papers.
The association said that it would first make sure that every
province in Indonesia has a newspaper. At present Southeast
Sulawesi, Bengkulu and West Nusa Tenggara do not have their own
papers.
Meanwhile, Minister of Information Harmoko last night
publishers to make the necessary adjustments so that they can
play their role in the national development more effectively.
Addressing the closing ceremony of the SPS congress, Harmoko
said the environment in which the domestic press is now operating
has changed drastically, thus necessitating some adjustments,
according to a statement issued by his office in Jakarta.
He cited as an example the globalization of the information
and communication sectors, which could affect the national
stability, and in turn affect the national development program.
Recent major technological developments have permitted an
increased penetration of information, both positive and negative,
from the outside world to Indonesia.
The press must also take into account that society is becoming
more critical as a logical consequence of the development.
Harmoko complimented the press industry on its ability to
adopt new technology, as reflected by improvements in print
quality, layout presentation, the use of color, distribution as
well as long-distance printing which is set to be introduced by
the larger newspapers to ensure a greater reach.
However, the introduction of sophisticated new technology must
be accompanied by improvements in human resources that will still
determine the outcome of the products, he said.
The management and the editorial boards of newspapers must
posses both creative and critical powers, not only in managing
the technology, but also in comprehending the various regulations
and legislations, he said. (11/emb/09)