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Sleepless over freedom of the press

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EBRI - September 14, 1997

Two books have just been launched about journalists victimized by the Indonesian law on the freedom of the press. Terbunuhnya Udin (The Murder of Udin) details the death of Fuad Muhammad Syafruddin (known as Udin), who worked for the Yogyakarta-based daily newspaper Bernas. The second book, Dari Celah Bui: Tidurlah Akal Sehat (Voice from Behind Prison Bars: Go to Sleep, Common Sense), is a compilation of notes by Danang Kukuh Wardoyo recounting his experiences in prison from the time of his arrest on March 16, 1995 through his 20-month incarceration at four detention centers. Danang was an office boy, jailed when he was 19 years old for distributing the unlicensed magazine Independen. The two books were launched on August 7, on the occasion of the third anniversary of the Declaration of Sirnagalih, a statement on the freedom of the press signed in Sirnagalih village, West Java, on August 7, 1994. That declaration was accompanied by the formation of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI).

The launching ceremony in Jakarta's Lontar Gallery was attended by journalist Arswendo Atmowiloto, former editor of the now-defunct Tempo weekly newsmagazine Goenawan Mohamad, Chairman of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) Bambang Widjojanto, as well as non-governmental organization activists, domestic and foreign journalists, and Udin's parents: Wagiman and Mrs. Musilah.

Award

On the occasion, a Fuad Muhammad Syafruddin award was conferred on a team of newspaper reporters who have spared no effort in combing the Yogyakarta area to uncover any information on the death of journalist Udin.

The award-winning group of 14 reporters have been dubbed the "White Kijang" team, named after the vehicle they use to scour the countryside for information on the Udin case. The reporters come from various publications: D&R magazine, the dailies Jawa Pos, Suara Pembaruan, Republika, and – of course – Bernas.

The award was given in recognition of their continued persistence in helping investigate the death of Udin, who died in August last year following an attack believed to be linked to his reports in Bernas on local corruption practices.

The book was written by Boaventura and Heru Hendratmoko under the coordination of Santoso, one of the journalists who signed the Declaration of Sirnagalih. The writing was based on reportage by Nucke and FX Rudy Gunawan.

"Many of us have been pressured into resigning," one of the Bernas reporters said.

The 14 reporters each received a certificate and a share of the US$1,000 cash award.

According to AJI, the award will now be presented annually in commemoration of AJI's anniversary. A man to envy

The launching of Dari Celah Bui included presentation of copies of the book to three journalists who had been imprisoned for their journalistic works: Atmowiloto, Ahmad Taufik, Eko Maryadi, and senior editor Goenawan Mohamad.

Danang, born in 1976, is now a freshman at Atmajaya University's School of Psychology. He was at an AJI function when he was arrested along with AJI members Eko Maryadi and Ahmad Taufik.

All three were convicted for their roles in producing and distributing copies of the unlicensed magazine Independen. Eko and Ahmad have also finished their three-year sentences.

Atmowiloto writes in the introduction of the book that Danang is a man to envy.

"Other people would need years [of perseverance]...in order to earn the title 'political detainee'. Danang only needed to stand at the door of the reception room on that March 16, 1995 evening [distributing Independen copies]," Atmowiloto says.

On the trial of Danang, Goenawan writes in the book: "Every arbitrary attitude of the judges is a step toward the crumbling of society."

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