President asks press to exercise self-censorship

Semarang, Central Java (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has asked the national press to exercise self-censorship as the government would never control the press.

"I really want self-censorship to be practiced. I put hope in the press council, senior journalists and chairmen of journalist organizations to boost the principle by giving priorities to information which is newsworthy," the President said when speaking at the commemoration of the National Press Day and the 62nd Anniversary of the Indonesian Journalist Association (PWI) here on Saturday.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono attends the commemoration of the National Press Day, Semarang, Saturday (2/9). The Head of State asks the media to use language which could help build the national character. He knew that the press` language should be sharp, but it should not be rough. (ANTARA/R Rekotomo/es)

He said that in the press day commemorations he had repeatedly suggested the press self-censorship since he had become the President in 2004. The matter should be considered by the media because the press control was over and it should never occurred again, he said.

However, the media should be able to select itself which story is newsworthy and which one is not.

President Yudhoyono also asked the press to carry out a reflection on how far they have contributed to the development of democracy in Indonesia and to the national character building.

He also reminded the media not to highlight news on violence too often. The President asked the media to use language which could help build the national character. He said that he knew that the press` language should be sharp, but it should not be rough.

Yudhoyono also said that the press freedom should continue be striven for.

"There should be no doubt that our choice is for the freedom of the press, which is useful, having good moral values, and responsible," he said.

The Head of State also asked the press to maintain its idealism in helping develop the nation and the country, and it must not be diverted just because of business competition or partisan interest.

The people wanted to receive information or news which is correct, appropriate, objective and also good quality and balanced so that it would be beneficial for them, he said.