(ISAI/IFEX) – On 6 March 1998, Margiono (one name only), editor-in-chief of “D&R” magazine, was suspended from the Association of Indonesian Journalists (PWI) for two years following the publication of a cover photo depicting Indonesian President Suharto as the king of spades. According to General (ret.) Hartono, the outgoing Minister of Information, the cover both […]
(ISAI/IFEX) – On 6 March 1998, Margiono (one name only), editor-in-chief of
“D&R” magazine, was suspended from the Association of Indonesian Journalists
(PWI) for two years following the publication of a cover photo depicting
Indonesian President Suharto as the king of spades. According to General
(ret.) Hartono, the outgoing Minister of Information, the cover both
insulted the 1945 Constitution and slandered the President. Hartono stated
on 4 March that the playing card image slandered the President in two ways.
First, the fact that the card could be turned upside down was itself
considered offensive. Secondly, it was argued that figuring Suharto as a
“King” implied that he had achieved power by unconstitutional means, a fact
which was refuted by the Minister.
The decision to suspend Margiono was made at an emergency meeting of the
PWI’s Honorary Board scheduled by Hartono, at which time it was decided
that the 7 March cover had violated the Indonesian Journalistic Code of
Ethics (KEJ). Hartono has publicly ordered the PWI to take action against
“D&R”, and has stated that the magazine will be sued in court for
presidential defamation. According to Brigadier General Dai Bachtiar,
National Police Spokeman, Margiono will be summoned by the authorities.
Background Information
This is the first time during Suharto’s rule that an editor of a licensed
publication has been accused of defaming the president. On 3 March 1995, 3
journalists working for independent publications, Triagus Siswowihardjo,
Ahmad Taufik, and Eko Maryadi, were arrested and imprisoned. Siswowihardjo,
editor-in-chief of “Kabar dari Pijar”, was accused of presidential defaming
in relation to an article published in his magazine and sentenced to two
years in jail. Both Taufik, then chief of AJI and a journalist for the
banned “Tempo” magazine, and Maryadi, a member of AJI, were sentenced to
three years in prison for publishing the unlicensed “Independen” magazine
which was said to promote hatred of the government. Following their arrest,
“Independen” was banned by the General Attorney.
In October 1996, Andi Syahputera, an employee of the printhouse responsible
for printing the unlicensed “Suara Independen” magazine, was arrested.
Accused of being responsible for the magazine’s contents, he was sentenced
to 30 month in jail for defaming the president. He is still in prison.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
editor-in-chief of “D&R”
Constitution
which protects rather than undermines press freedom
Appeals To
His Excellency General Suharto
President
Office of the President
Bina Graha, Jalan Veteran No. 17
Jakarta Pusal, Indonesia
Fax: +62 21 345 4438
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
