Yunus extolls benefits of easing press limits

Yunus extolls benefits of easing press limits

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Information Muhammad Yunus said he
has signed 90 new publication permits since taking office in May.

Speaking at a ceremony to mark the ministry's 53rd anniversary
here yesterday, Yunus reiterated his belief that he could improve
the quality of the national press by endorsing more press
publications.

"The more companies running in the press business, the more
competitive they will become and that will improve their
quality," Yunus, who is an active army lieutenant general, said.

Last week he even gave the green light for two foreign
newspapers -- the International Herald Tribune and The Asian Wall
Street Journal -- to begin printing in the country.

The public will get a better choice and sensationalistic
publications will be left behind, Yunus argued.

It was this sincere belief which led him to simplify the
procedure of applying for publication permits by introducing
regulation No. 01/1998 on June 5.

It replaced a 1984 regulation which the media had long held to
be repressive and an obstacle to press freedom.

The earlier regulation, issued by then minister of information
Harmoko, was used to justify the banning of several press
publications.

At yesterday's ceremony, Yunus called on his subordinates in
the ministry to improve their service to the public.

He also took the occasion to remind the press not to abuse its
freedom and said criminal charges would be brought against
publications who violated the new regulations.

The government is currently preparing a draft mass media law
which will stipulate several types of offense that elements of
the media could be charged with if perceived to be abusing their
newfound freedom. (aan)