PWI TO PROPOSE REVISION OF PRESS LAW

Medan, N Sumatra, Apr 2 (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) will propose revision of the press law which it said has created a chance for certain quarters to carry out practices detrimental to the press's image.

"Law No. 40 of 1999 on the Press is weak because it was hastily enacted to enjoy freedom," PWI Chairman Margiono said when opening a conference of the PWI's North Sumatra branch here on Friday.

He said lack of freedom during the New Order era prompted the Indonesian press to seek freedom as quickly as possible.

The Indonesian press realized the wish by preparing a draft of the press law in 1998 which was later passed into law in 1999, he said.

But because the law was hastily enacted it carried many provisions detrimental to the life and honor of the Indonesian press, he said.

Citing an example, he said the absence of tight clauses governing the establishment of publication companies had given a chance to certain parties to capitalize on the law.

Therefore, it came as no major surprise if people who had so far been known as middlemen could set up a publication company, he said.

Ironically, the middlemen who had often committed disgraceful acts held key posts in the publication company, such as managing director or editor-in-chief, he said.

"Imagine how could an ex-middleman sit beside Jacob Oetama," he said referring to the founder and managing director of the leading Kompas daily.

He said the revision of the press law was not designed to eliminate small publication companies which were mostly found in regions.