(AJI/IFEX) – AJI is strongly criticising the harsh measures that the attorney general has taken against three journalists: Bambang Wahyu of the newspaper “Kompas”, Driantama of the television station RCTI, and Roy Pakpahan of “Suara Bangsa”. Specifically, these three journalists have been banned from freely pursuing press activities in the office of the attorney general, […]
(AJI/IFEX) – AJI is strongly criticising the harsh measures that the
attorney general has taken against three journalists: Bambang Wahyu of the
newspaper “Kompas”, Driantama of the television station RCTI, and Roy
Pakpahan of “Suara Bangsa”.
Specifically, these three journalists have been banned from freely pursuing
press activities in the office of the attorney general, effective 8 June
1999. The above-mentioned journalists learned of the decision to limit
their legal area of operation through an oral statement and were told that
the ban would be in place for an undefined period. The reason given for the
banning was that they had “acted inappropriately by making accusatory
statements directed at the attorney general and questioning in an
interrogatory manner at the time of a press conference” (“Kompas”, 9 June
1999).
AJI considers this ban on journalist’s freedom of movement and coverage as
constituting an affront to the journalistic profession and sees these
actions as yet another example of the attorney general’s inability to
function within the true spirit of reform. The decision to implement such a
ban is further proof of the attorney general’s interest in perpetuating the
governing style of the “New Order” regime. Moreover, the limiting of
journalist’s free movement and freedom of coverage indicates the attorney
general’s ignorance of the important role of journalists and the mass media
in constructing a functioning democracy in Indonesia.
In the midst of waves of negative attention and controversy about his
professional performance, the unmasking of the attorney general’s decision
to implement a ban on journalistic freedom appears all the more appalling.
According to AJI, only after undergoing a serious process of introspection
and openness will the attorney general truly be able to function as a tool
of justice.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
journalists
and formally apologise to them
professional activities of the attorney general, both in Indonesia and
internationally
Appeals To
Andi M Ghalib
Attorney General
Office of the Attorney General
Fax: +62-21 7250166President Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie
The Secretary State
Fax: +62 21 3860189
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
