The controversial verdict

The controversial verdict

Tomy Winata in a libel suit case against senior journalist
Goenawan Mohamad. In Monday's session the panel of judges ordered
Goenawan to run an apology on the front pages of Koran Tempo and
Kompas dailies for two consecutive days.

According to the court, Goenawan was guilty of making the
statement - as quoted by Koran Tempo - that the country should
not fall into the hands of thugs, and Tomy Winata.

The court verdict is an obvious effort to eliminate freedom of
expression and freedom of the press.

What's wrong with Goenawan's concern over the possible
domination of thugs or Tomy Winata in the country. What's wrong
with the media reporting on a public figure's concern about the
future of his country?

According to Law No. 40/1999 on the press, journalists are
supposed to promote social control by, among other things,
supervision and criticism for the sake of public interests.

That does not mean that the press can do anything at will. The
Press Law clearly limits the power of the press. The law also
says that the Press Council is the only institution authorized to
judge journalistic jobs. Therefore, the court's order to Goenawan
to run an apology in two dailies should have come from the Press
Council.

It was unfortunate that the East Jakarta District Court has
denied the Press Law and the roles of the Press Council. The
result is the denial of press freedom and the people's right to
information. --Koran Tempo, Jakarta