Journalists protest Air Force Base restriction

YOGYAKARTA, Yogyakarta: Dozens of journalists grouped under the Yogyakarta Journalists' Forum staged a rally Wednesday in front of the office of the Adi Sucipto Air Force Base chief after being prevented from covering the trial of pilot Marwoto Komar, a suspect in an airplane accident two years ago that killed 21 people.

The Yogyakarta branch of the Indonesian Journalists' Association (PWI) also sent an official letter to the Adi Sutjipto Air Force Base chief questioning the ban. can't a reporter cover the trial session? This seems to be a coverup of what is really going on," Asril Sutan Marojo from the legal division of the PWI said.

The journalists were prevented from covering a trial session being held at the accident scene where Garuda Indonesia flight GA 200 crash landed on the runway.

Airport authorities not only restricted the media from covering the event but also ejected them from the airport compound.

The airport is shared by both military and civilian populations.

Meanwhile, Air Force Base chief Cmdr. R. Hari Muljono said his office had never intended to prevent journalists from carrying out their job. is related to permission. Journalists should have requested permission before arriving and trying to cover the scene," he said. -- JP