18 INDONESIAN PRESS COMPANY LEADERS SIGN PALEMBANG CHARTER

Palembang, Feb 9 (ANTARA) - Eighteen press enterprises in Indonesia are scheduled to ratify press company standards, the Palembang Charter, aimed at providing an Indonesian press quality standard in terms of news reporting, and human resources.

The charter was signed to highlight the 64th National Press Day anniversary in Palembang Tuesday monring, attended by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

According to the organizers of the event, the 18 national press company leaders are Dahlan Iskan (Jawa Pos Group), Agung Adiprasetyo (Kompas, Gramedia Group), Ahmad Mukhlis Yusuf (LKBN ANTARA), Syafril Nasution (MNC Group), Chairul Tanjung (Transmedia Group), Syafik Umar (Pikiran Rakyat Group), Budiono Darsono (Detikcom Group), Haryono (LPP TVRI), Kukrit Suryo (Suara Merdeka Group), Taruna Jasa Said (Waspada Group), ABG Satria Narada (Bali Post Group), Sofyan Lubis (Pos Kota Group), Ilham Bintang (Bintang Media Group), Erick Thohir (Republika Group), Svida Alisyahbana (Femina Group), James Ryadi (Jakarta Globe Group), Fahry Muhammad (Smart FM Group), and Dodi Reza (Panji Media Network).
Those which had signed the Palembang Charter are committed to carry out, maintain, and secure freedom of the press voluntarily and with full responsibility.

Under the charter, Freedom of the Press was mentioned as the realization of the sovereignty of the people for expression on the basis of the principles of democracy, justice, the supremacy of law, human rights, and professionalism. Freedom of the press is a basic means of every citizen for communication and information to promote and develop the quality of life and human life.

Each of the signatory press enterprises will be given a logo or special sign from authorized institute. The logo will be valid for five years.