NOTES WEEK 2

Liberal Democracy Period Press Policy

In the 1950 Provisional Constitution, which became the foundation of the state during the Liberal
Democracy period, it is stated that freedom of expression is a right for everyone (Article 19).
Freedom of the press is also seen in Article 33, which states that the freedom of the press that is
adhered to is not absolute (Prastowo, 2017: 52). The article reads as follows:
"Exercising the rights and freedoms described in this activity can only be limited by statutory
regulations solely to guarantee the indispensable recognition and respect for the rights and
freedoms of others and for meet just requirements for peace, decency and prosperity in a
democratic society.” It is not absolute because the constitution explains several things that limit
it, namely respect and recognition of other human rights, as well as matters related to the state,
namely the welfare, peace and decency of a country (Harahap, 2009: 256). That was the
constitution of the Indonesian state at that time which supported a freedom (press) with the
responsibilities and limitations needed to regulate people's lives so that they run well.

At this time, initially freedom of the press was given and it was seen in a real and true way,
because in the early days of Liberal Democracy there were no restrictions for people who wanted
to be involved in the formation and publishing of the press. Anyone who is capable in terms of
capital and knowledge of the press, and this is also not bound by ideology, politics, or any group,
then anyone has the right and can publish press as long as they have their own capital, especially
the press in the sense of newspapers. The government's decision to support the press at that time
was also carried out by providing various assistance to press publishing businesses, such as
printing equipment, newsprint, subscriptions to several published newspapers, and several other
capitals. This was done by the Indonesian government because it saw that the press from the
Chinese and Dutch groups were still developing rapidly, as well as the need for the government
to obtain news and information that would benefit Indonesia's policies at that time (Suwirta,
2008: 49). Dutch newspapers that were still circulating at that time, such as Nieuwe Courant,
Nieuwgier, Algemeen Indisch Dagblad de Preanger Bode, de Locomotief, also Java Bode. The
Dutch press has the freedom to express opinions freely on issues that benefit the Dutch nation,
such as supporting the policies of the Dutch government and the West Irian problem (Prastowo,
2017: 54). However, in the following period, the Dutch and Chinese press in circulation were
stopped and they were no longer allowed to be published in Indonesia, due to the policy of
nationalizing foreign companies in Indonesia.

But gradually, things happened outside of freedom of the press in the beginning, the side effects
began to be seen, where the press was tempted and drifted into the world of practical politics.
Where newspapers and newspapers (press) are extensions of political parties that are spread with
a variety of different ideologies. This press goes hand in hand with the struggles of the various
political parties it supports, in order to achieve their wishes and goals in the world of Indonesian
politics (Padiatra & Sanusi, 2020: 44).

Working together with existing political parties makes the press appear to be taking part in
fighting over government power, from which the term "partisan press" begins to develop or it
also means that the press is interested and definitely involved in a political party and explains the
advantages of the party. the politics he supports. Apart from that, the term "newspaper war" also
appeared, which is defined as between each existing press with various groups, ideologies, and
different political views, overthrowing and attacking each other to gain support from the
community, and to show the greatness of each. each political party and the press (Djuroto &
Syam, 2011: 181). In those years, actually there were still a number of newspapers that did not
follow the pattern of extension of an existing political party, but the pattern of political life at that
time really became a frightening specter in the life of freedom and freedom of the press
( Harisman et al., 2020: 115-116). This can be seen from the press affiliated with political
parties, such as the frequent mutual exchange between political parties that are not in line
through the press media, as well as the joining of various newspapers to political parties (such as
the PKI). Various press units have their own interests and advantages in their steps to report on
an event or provide their opinion and criticism of an incident (Paramita, 2014: 29). That freedom
of the press g occurred in the early days of the Liberal Democracy, it was increasingly under
pressure, because politics in Indonesia began to shift towards "guided" related to the
authoritarian political system of President Soekarno's government. Starting from a decision
issued Number PKM/001/0/1956 by the Chief of Staff of the Army as well as the Military
Authority at that time, containing the prohibition of the press, as follows (Harahap, 2009: 256).
“It is prohibited to print, publish, present, distribute, paste, read or have writings, drawings or
photographs containing or classifying or intending to criticize, accuse and insult the president,
vice president, a trial court , government officials who are still functioning or as a result of the
discharge of their duties, or anything that contains statements that are hostile, hateful or insulting
directed at certain groups of people or the government, or anything that contains news or
announcements that cause chaos among the people.” There was chaos in the core powers in the
TNI-AD, where there were soldiers in the local government section which prolonged the
problems in the Indonesian political situation at that time, as well as the occurrence of various
other events that led to the issuance of SOB (Staat van orlog en Beleg), where there was an
emergency reason war and the disruption of security stability, the military authorities in power
prohibited the press from publishing, precisely on September 14, 1957 (Baskoro,
2011: 201).

The initial policy issued in an effort to control press freedom was the Decree of the Regional
War Authority (PEPERDA) in the Greater Jakarta area. This decree issued on October 1, 1958
required all press businesses in the Greater Jakarta area to obtain a SIC or a Printing Permit. This
regulation, which only occurs in Greater Jakarta, allows the regional government to determine
and review which press publications are allowed to accept or not accept the SIC. If there is a
press that does not cooperate and is kind to the government, it will not be easy to obtain a permit,
and vice versa (Haryanto, 1996: 78-79). So that it can be clearly seen that since the issuance of
this regulation, as of October 1, 1958, Indonesia has restrained and shackled the freedom and
independence of the press, and made it only a tool for the rulers in supporting the policies issued.