Seminar calls for independent media

Seminar calls for independent media

JAKARTA (JP): Journalists and broadcasting experts from 17
Asia Pacific countries concluded their three-day seminar here
over the weekend with a call for "independent, credible and
democratic" media.

"We call on all Asian and Pacific nations to secure the
framework for the existence of an independent and credible public
broadcasting and...democratic media with diversity of ownership,"
the participants said in a statement Saturday.

The participants also "record their belief that free and
independent news media are a key element in building and
maintaining a peaceful, tolerant, open, productive and democratic
society.

"We call on the governments of Asian nations to repeal all
laws which restrict freedom of expression and freedom of
association. We urge that all future deliberations of APEC
include a human rights framework which would guarantee basic
press freedoms and human rights generally to all citizens of
member nations."

The seminar, organized by the Institute for Press Studies,
made a special call on the Indonesian government to set up "a
legal framework for media freedom...to re-examine the
broadcasting bill (currently under deliberation by the House of
Representatives)...and to repeal the measures which require the
registration of publications."

The bill has been widely criticized for its strong attempt to
increase government's control over broadcasting stations.

The seminar also called on the Indonesian government to
release from prison four members of the unrecognized Alliance of
Independent Journalists.

Entitled "Open Skies: Toward an Open Society", the seminar
focused on various policies dealing with broadcasting in Asia,
the experiences of those involved, as well as the role of
broadcasting in providing service to the general public.

Discussions have centered on the rights and responsibilities
of journalists in carrying out their responsibility to serve the
public. The event was opened by Jens Linde, president of the
International Federation of Journalists, which, with more than
300,000 members, is the largest journalists' organization in the
world.

The participants also called on the governments of the
Philippines, Cambodia, and China to take measures to preserve
press freedom and human rights, and protect journalists. (swe)