**Updates IFEX alerts dated 4 May, 27 and 21 June 1994** Indonesian press freedom activists vowed to continue their struggle despite a Supreme Court ruling on 13 June 1996 that affirmed Information Minister Harmoko’s decision to ban “Tempo” magazine. Chief Justice Soejono, who headed the three-judge panel, said that the 1982 Indonesian Press Law should […]
**Updates IFEX alerts dated 4 May, 27 and 21 June 1994**
Indonesian press freedom activists vowed to continue their
struggle despite a Supreme Court ruling on 13 June 1996 that
affirmed Information Minister Harmoko’s decision to ban “Tempo”
magazine.
Chief Justice Soejono, who headed the three-judge panel, said
that the 1982 Indonesian Press Law should give the Minister of
Information the right to revoke a publishing licence because he
is the government official who has the right to issue it. “The
Information Minister has also consulted the Press Council but he
need not…follow their recommendation,” added Soejono, referring
to advice prior to the banning in which the Press Council
suggested that the government not ban “Tempo”.
“This is the end of the legal battle. The struggle will continue
in other forms,” said “Tempo” editor Goenawan Mohamad. Stanley
Adi Prasetyo, a leading member of the Alliance of Independent
Journalists (AJI), added that the ruling will obviously
strengthen his union.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
the right to freedom of expression and opinion enshrined in the
United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which
Indonesia, as a member state of the UN, is obliged to respect
ruling, which appears designed to prevent public scrutiny of, and
debate about, public issues in Indonesia
Appeals To
His Excellency General Suharto
President
Office of the President
Bina Graha, Jalan Veteran No. 17
Jakarta Pusal, Indonesia
Fax: +62 21 360 517/367 782
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.
