VIVAnews- In the tenth year of its independence, the Indonesian press is still problematic. The year 2008 is even considered as the most deterring year for the press.
“The pressure towards the press has increased”, Deputy of the Press Council, Leo Batubara, said during a discussion session titled “Reflecting the 10th Year of Press Independence” in Jakarta Media Center on Tuesday, May 5.
According to Batubara, the issue is reflected through some of the journalists who have been threatened by possible imprisonment although it is stated in the Press Law that the press should perform its function of social control and its role as a watchdog.
The examples would be the cases that occurred to Rakyat Merdeka, Oposisi, and Radar Jogja during the reform era. “The tendency to criminalize the press by the government and DPR (the House of Representatives) has increased,” he said.
Furthermore, the independence of the Indonesian Press seems to be getting worst. In 2008, Indonesian press was ranked 111 out of 173 countries, while in 2001, it was deemed the freest in Asia.
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Translated by: Nataya Ermanti
