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)