Journalists protest new policy forbidding them from interviewing anyone in the administration other than the regent, deputy regent or official spokesperson

The Jakarta Post
Thursday, July 10, 2008

By Agus Maryono

Purwokerto --- At least 50 journalists from the Banyumas Journalists Community protested Wednesday against a controversial policy adopted by Banyumas Regent Mardjoko restricting journalists' access to information on local development programs.

Under the new policy journalists are not allowed to get information from, or interview, officers of the regency administration, except for the regent, the deputy regent and the official spokesperson.

The protesters demanded Mardjoko drop the one-door information policy because it was not in tune with the democratic and reform era.

It is feared the policy, introduced just after the new regent was inaugurated last May, will restrict public access to information and undermine the transparency of local decision making on development programs.

The demonstrators burned copies of circulars setting out the new rules and displayed banners protesting against its implementation.

Slogans on the banners included "The Banyumas regent has broken the Press Law" and "The regent has undermined press freedom".

A reporter from privately run TV station Indosiar, Nanang Nurani, said the regent's policy was humiliating to local journalists.

"That's why we insist the regent revoke the policy -- or we will boycott administration activities," he added.

Lilik Dharmawan from Media Indonesia daily newspaper also said the policy had made the work of local journalists difficult.

"Local civil servants are reluctant to give information to journalists because they are afraid they may get into trouble," he said.

The National Press Committee and the regional Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) have already expressed their strong opposition to the policy in letters to the regent.

Banyumas PWI chairman, Khoerudin Islam also asked Mardjoko to drop the policy on grounds it was unworkable and could be manipulated by the administration.

"This policy can harm democracy in the regency," Khoerudin said.

According to a letter sent by the Press Committee to the administration, the policy has broken the Press Law and the Openness of Public Information Law. The policy also undermined public confidence, it said.

Despite the various protests and opposition, Mardjoko maintained his position and declined to give his reasons.

"Please just see the municipality's spokesperson for further information," Mardjoko said.

Date Posted: 7/10/2008