Media Group demands apology from Dipo

The parent company of Media Indonesia daily newspaper and Metro TV television news channel is demanding an apology from State Secretary Dipo Alam for his recent threat to boycott the media.

Dipo had threatened to stop the placement of government advertising in and restrict information access for media outlets that were regarded as overly critical of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

These outlets included Metro TV and Media Indonesia, both owned by Media Group.

In response, the company has threatened legal action against Dipo unless he issues a public apology before Feb.26 at 12:00, Media Group attorney OC Kaligis said.

Kaligis added that Dipo had violated the 1999 Law on the Press and the 2008 Law on the Freedom of Information.

Kaligis was speaking at a press conference attended by Metro TV chief editor Elman Saragih, Media Indonesia news director Saur Hutabarat and Metro TV news director Suryopratomo, as reported kompas.com.