Jakarta – The owner of a private Indonesian radio station has closed down a popular pro-reform radio talk show and fired the six staff operating the program, a human rights lawyer said Thursday.

"There was an element of self-censorship here, the radio closed down the talks show program and we know security authorities had been threatening the radio for quite some time over that program," said rights lawyer Munir.

The owner of the radio station, Safari FM, halted its "Wacana Jakarta" (Expression of Jakarta) late afternoon talk-show program, without notice and dismissed the six staff manning and operating the program, said Munir, who is from the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute.

The program, managed by program director Nor Pud Binarto, had discussed topical issues including press freedom, the role of the military, racial tensions and other issues considered sensitive under the regime of former president Suharto.

It blossomed after the fall of former president Suharto on May 21, and had a series of guest hosts, including vocal pro-reform activists. It also conducted live discussions with call-in listeners.

"The radio program had also provided air time for groups like us," Munir said referring to Kontras, a group fighting for the return of missing political activists and the rights of their families. Kontras has been active in pressuring the armed forces, which has admitted involvement in the kidnappings, to take action against military personnel involved in the disappearance of activists.

Some 24 activists have gone missing since the start of the year. Nine have resurfaced, speaking of being kidnapped and tortured. One was found dead and 14 are still missing.

Munir said his group would protest the dismissals of the six staff, and the closure of the program. "It is also a case of the public's right to information, which was ignored, and we will make a case of this too," Munir added. Munir could not yet say when he will meet the owner of Safari FM.