Media Release: Indonesia 18 October 2004



Indonesian Press Council decision is justice without retribution, says IFJ



The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the global organisation representing over 500,000 journalists worldwide, has today welcomed the fair and reasonable decision by the Indonesian Press Council in libel charges against four publications on Friday, 15 October 2004.



“Friday’s decision is an example of a punishment having a reasonable relationship with the offence,” said IFJ President Christopher Warren today.



On 15 October, The Indonesian Press Council found that four publications had breached the Journalists’ Code of Ethics. The Council found that Trust Magazine, Nusa Daily, Reporter Daily and Indopos Daily had violated the principle of presumption of innocence by suggesting that State Minister of State Enterprises Laksama Sukardi had fled the country with more than USD 100 million in state money.



The IFJ welcomes the just decision by the Press Council, rejecting Laksama’s demand for the publications to pay him 200 billion Rupiah in damages (USD22 million) and to run apologies in national print and electronic media.



Council Chairman Ichlasul Amal ordered all four publications to publish an apology and an unedited interview with Laksama. Failure to comply with the Council’s decision will result in a fine of 500 Million Rupiah. The Council cleared Rakyat, a fifth publication of all libel charges.



The Press Council made the decision in two weeks, illustrating the effectiveness of the Council to deal with complaints. This is in contrast to the drawn out process of using the criminal code to prosecute defamation, as demonstrated by the recent conviction and sentencing of Tempo editor Bambang Harymurti by a Central Jakarta Court in September for twelve months for defaming businessman Tomy Winata.



“This case sets an example of how a judgement can be just without retribution,” says Warren.



The IFJ welcomes the step taken by Laksama to take the complaint to the Press Council and calls on all complainants to follow his lead by following Press Law no. 40/1999 urging all media related cases to be resolved through the Press Council.



The IFJ represents more than 500,000 journalists in more than 100 countries



For more information please contact: Christopher Warren +61 (0) 411 757 668