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)