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)