The latest regulation by the Justice and Human Right's Ministry which bans journalists from entering prisons has come under scrutiny from the Press Council.

The Ministry's Directorate General of Corrections released an official statement which said all prison inmates were not allowed to be interviewed by the media. In addition the media were banned from entering prisons because the ministry claimed it would disturb the inmates and jeopardize security.

The head of the Press Council's ethics commission, Agus Sudibyo, raised the question on Saturday, "Why is the ban only applicable to journalists?"

The reason given by Justice and Human Rights Minister Patrialis Akbar on Friday, was the constant press presence could be "disturbing to the officials' activities within the penitentiary." In addition Patrialis said news related to a case which involved an inmate had the potential to hamper the case investigation.

"If a journalist plans to visit a penitentiary, he or she will have to seek permission from the directorate general of correction," Patrialis said, rejecting an allegation that the latest regulation is to avoid negative publication about the condition behind bars.

"It is for everybody's comfort, including the comfort of the officers who work in penitentiaries," he said.

Last October, media watchdogs condemned the Justice and Human Rights Ministry for reportedly ordering private TV station SCTV to drop a sensitive broadcast.

The documentary program titled "The Sex Business Behind Prison Bars," was pulled off air at the last minute by SCTV management. Patrialis Akbar denied his involvement and told the Press Council he had no problem with SCTV putting the program on air.

But chief editor of SCTV newsroom Don Bosco Selamun, said Patrialis's denial was in stark contrast to the experience of the SCTV crew. He said the crew involved with the documentary had been subjected to "continuous intimidation" and demands that the program be scrapped.