TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - House of Representatives (DPR) chairman Setya Novanto, through his legal counselor Razman Arief Nasution, on Monday reported Metro TV to the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) for alleged incitement and leaking the conversation in the Ethics Council’s (MKD) closed hearing.
Regarding the report, Putra Nababan, editor-in-chief of Metro TV, said he would act according to Press Council regulations and opined that what Metro TV broadcast was a journalistic product. “It’s a journalistic product made according to the regulations. There’s also a law about it and it was created by the DPR,” Putra told Tempo on Tuesday, December 15.
According to the law, Setya Novanto can use right of reply if he objects to a reporting. Putra said Setya Novanto has been contacted to ask for confirmation regarding the news, but there was no answer. “We have previously contacted him, but he didn’t want to comment,” he said.
Putra also deplored Setya’s gesture showing lack of respect towards the law. “I’m concerned because they have created the law, but they are the ones who disrespect it. It seems like they don’t support the press in democracy,” he said.
Metro TV was reported by Setya Novanto for broadcasting MKD’s closed hearing for Setya Novanto. Metro TV is deemed violating Law No. 40/1999 about Press. Razman also accused Metro TV of discrediting his client for imbalanced reporting.
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