Why 'TVRI' censorship?

As a citizen of the Republic of Indonesia I am appalled by TVRI's decision not to broadcast live the hearing of our Minister of Finance with the House of Representatives because "it needs editing to ensure that the public receives only the right information". This is censorship and what right does TVRI have to censor an open hearing of the House of Representatives? Surely this is in violation of the Constitution. When our elected representatives ask for an accounting from government ministers, it is we the people who ask for that accounting and we have the right to hear the answer without anyone censoring it for us.

Mar'ie Muhammad is a fine minister who has done a splendid job in a very difficult situation and I believe that he is more than competent to give an able accounting to the House of Representatives, without any assistance from TVRI. Censoring the hearing is an insult to the intelligence of the minister and the people of this good country. The House of Representatives should now prepare a bill explicitly forbidding anyone from censoring anything said in its open sessions.

TAMALIA ALISJAHBANA

Jakarta