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Police warned against criminalizing 'Tempo'
The Independent Journalistsâ Alliance (AJI) has called on the police not to criminalize media reporting on corruption since it was the peopleâs constitutional right to be informed
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T
he Independent Journalists' Alliance (AJI) has called on the police not to criminalize media reporting on corruption since it was the people's constitutional right to be informed.
The AJI aired the call in response to the controversial statement by deputy police chief Comr. Gen. Badrodin Haiti to the effect that 'Tempo' weekly magazine could be prosecuted in connection with its recent report on the alleged flow of funds to Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan.
"The magazine's report is a press product, or a work of journalism. Their report is actually part of the national media's efforts to fulfill citizens' constitutional rights to receive information as guaranteed in Chapter 28F of the amended 1945 Constitution," AJI Chairman Suwarjono said on Tuesday.
He added that the regulation requiring public officials to report their wealth proved that the legal system regarded information on public officials' wealth as public information.
"Clearly, the public has the right to know about facts linked to public officials' wealth. It is also clear that 'Tempo' magazine's coverage is part of the fulfilment of this right," he said as quoted by tribunnews.com.
He said the national media would resist if Tempo was named a suspect in the case.
The police are still investigating the magazine over the report. (rms)(+++)
