'SCTV' takes economist to police

'SCTV' takes economist to police

YOGYAKARTA: SCTV reported a Gadjah Mada University economist
on Friday to police here for allegedly defaming the private
television station.

The suit was submitted to the Yogyakarta Police by two SCTV
presenters, Rosiana Silalahi and Bayu Sutiyono, executive
producer Zaenal Bhakti accompanied by their lawyers, Bambang
Widjojanto and Iskandar Sonhaji.

The broadcaster accused Revrisond Baswir of libel and
tarnishing the station's credibility.

The libel case started when Revrisond was invited to speak on
a recorded talk show later broadcast on March 3, along with State
Minister of National Development Planning Sri Mulyani Indrawati.

The program, called Topik Minggu Ini (This Week's Topic),
discussed the pros and cons of the government's policy of raising
fuel prices.

Disappointed for being given less time to speak in the talk
show than the minister, Revrisond reportedly accused the TV
station of "unfairly cutting his time" in favor of those who
supported the price hikes. Revrisond was among those opposed to
the policy.

In the accusation made through a mailing list allegedly sent
by Revrisond, SCTV was accused of being paid Rp 350 million
(US$36,842) to slant the program.

Revrisond was reportedly angry that many of his statements
during the talk show were edited before the program was aired.
--JP