Time was up for information ministry

The new Cabinet line-up revealed the abolition of the Ministry of Information. Leo Batubara, a founder of the Indonesian Press Society (MPI) and secretary-general of the Union of Newspaper Publishers (SPS), talked to The Jakarta Post on this development.

Question: Do you welcome the abolition of the Ministry of Ministry?

Answer: Yes. We think the function of the ministry is still needed, but not the structure. Its people could still function in strengthening the poor public relations in all parts of the administration. The ministry used to regulate, issue permits and "guide" both print and electronic media, including the use of sanctions; it also provided information to the public. These tasks were carried out under the authoritarian paradigm of monopolizing the media, which was considered a tool to channel government opinion. There was hardly any space for public opinion.

The new Law no. 40/1999 (which MPI helped to deliberate -- Editor), passed on Sept. 23, spelled out press freedom more clearly. Something which was unclear in the 1945 Constitution.

The ministry no longer takes care of permits in the case of print media, or sanctions (a policy carried out by former minister M. Yunus -- Editor) Pak Yunus encouraged whatever changes we proposed as long as they were based on justice and supremacy of the law. Under the new law the press now regulates itself and alleged violations are referred to the Criminal Code.

There are still a number of remaining issues. First, the suspended deliberation of the draft bill on broadcasting. The broadcasting business is different; permits are still needed but we are trying to establish an independent commission to be in charge of issuing these permits and watching over violations, which would answer to the House of Representatives (DPR).

Second, the position of the state run Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) and Televisi Republik Indonesia (TVRI). This is still being debated and the MPI has said that we want neither of them to be under the Ministry of Information anymore.

RRI and TVRI could become public broadcasters funded by the state budget and supervised by the independent commission. Censorship would largely be determined themselves using their own code of ethics. In the interest of the public they would not be allowed to show too many commercials. Fees (from consumers) would also add to their income.

Regarding public information, the ministry's function could still be carried out by the state secretariat and public relations officers at all state bodies and regional administrations. So the ministry's 50,000 employees would not have to worry.

With the dissolving of the ministry, doesn't the press still face pressure from the owners regarding editorial content?

Owners clinging to the producer oriented concept in which they dictate to their media will find their profits shifting to competitors. Of the several major dailies in the past -- such as Merdeka in Jakarta, Waspada in Medan (North Sumatra) Pikiran Rakyat in Bandung (West Java), Suara Merdeka in Semarang (Central Java), Surabaya Post in Surabaya (East Java), Pedoman Rakyat in Ujungpandang (South Sulawesi), and Banjarmasin Post in South Kalimantan -- only a few have survived. Pikiran Rakyat and Suara Merdeka were among those which quickly changed to be more market- oriented.

Our colleagues in countries with a supposedly free press, like in the Philippines, still complain about control by their owners.

Owners who let professionalism grow will see their media progressing compared to conservatively owned media. The Washington Post, for instance, became a quality newspaper because its owner respected professionalism. Media organizations here which depend on politics as their main commodity must also be ready to change ... political conflict should decrease nowadays.

The newfounded openness led to a surge of new media. Among print media, how many are still in business?

Based on data of the Ministry of Information as of Sept. 23 there were 1,687 print media registered, of which 40 percent were actually publishing. There are new papers in Parepare, South Sulawesi, Batam, Halmahera in Maluku and Lhokseumawe, North Aceh. Of those which were publishing many have reduced (their frequency), some have petered out ... their weakness was that they were merely copying existing media.

Media industries must be healthy... If "envelope journalism" (the habit of bribing and receiving bribes) is still rampant people will ask what is the good of press freedom? In 1997, 70 percent of the 289 print media had trouble covering printing costs; it's not much different now.

While you say information ministry employees should strengthen administration offices, many officials are still afraid or unwilling to give out even the most basic data.

Our public relations in government are not yet professional. I was proud the other day seeing President Abdurrahman Wahid. He gave explanations himself, instead of the old tradition where guests and officials of the president would give out the information to the press after meeting him ... This should be also done at the regional level, with the regents, for example, being ready to face the press with the support of their public relations people providing the necessary data.

The MPI is helping to prepare an Act concerning the free flow of information, as the issue is not fully covered in the new press law. Government employees must remember they work for the people. The public should have access to data on, for instance, banks, the state-run oil company Pertamina and the large mining firms. We should no longer have press offices destroyed by mobs and blacklisting of journalists by the attorney general... (anr)