YUDHOYONO CALLS ON PRESS TO WISELY USE ITS POWER

Jakarta, Feb 9 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono made an appeal to the press on Tuesday to use its power wisely and to help the nation become successful.

"The press has now become one of the powerful elements in Indonesia. So make sure that the power, clout and strength are used constructively," he said at the 64th anniversary of the National Press Day in Palembang, South Sumatra.

The head of state called on the press to use its power for the interests of the people.

He said the democracy that is still being developed in the country in a democracy based on the people and not the one based on the state or the media.

"Remember the democracy that we wish to build is the people-centered democracy not a state-centered or a media-centered," he said.

In view of that he said the press must maintain the information balance and conduct self-censorship.

"We wish the press coverage is balanced and covering both sides," he said. Citing an example he said if a media criticized an official it must also give the official concerned an opportunity to explain so that the people will understand the problem.

President Yudhoyono said his government had strong committment to assuring press freedom.

At the end of his speech the head of state appealed to the press to support the government to make its development program successful.

Communication minister Tifatul Sembiring said that the government would not only assure press freedom but also no ban.

In view of that he hoped the press could present balanced information to the public.

"We appeal to them to reconstruct the information in a balanced way so that not only the bad parts that are shown," he said.