Seminars, expo on defunct magazines

Seminars, expo on defunct magazines

JAKARTA (JP): Erstwhile journalists and readers of the banned
Tempo, DeTik and Editor magazines will commemorate the first
anniversary of the government's closure of the three weeklies by
holding exhibitions and seminars.

Controversial scholars Arief Budiman and Abdurrahman Wahid are
scheduled to address the opening ceremony of an exhibition of
Tempo illustrations on Monday at the Taman Ismail Marzuki Arts
and Cultural Center here.

Former chief editor of Tempo Goenawan Mohamad said at a press
conference yesterday that the event was intended to remind the
public that the problems of censorship and press bans still exist
in Indonesia.

Tempo journalists recently won a lawsuit against Minister of
Information Harmoko's over the banning of the magazine. "This
victory was part of our 'fearless marching' against obstacles, as
will be this exhibition," Goenawan said.

He added: "We don't have any intention of acting
provocatively, especially in this society which is so full of
fear."

Tempo journalists and their supporters are also planning other
activities, including the presentation of an award, named after
the late lawyer and proponent of freedom of the press, Suardi
Tasrif, to three activists now on trial for allegedly defaming
President Soeharto.

A number of seminars on freedom of expression have been and
will be held in several major cities, including Surabaya, Yogya
and Jakarta. Former manager of the DeTik tabloid, Eros Djarot,
will hold a musical performance on Wednesday.

There will also be a launching of a book written by Tempo
journalists entitled Mengapa Kami Menggugat (Why We Sued). Senior
journalist Mochtar Lubis will close the series of events. (swe)