Today, Wednesday, January 31, 2007, the Chairman of the Constitutional Court (MK), Prof. Dr. Jimly Asshiddiqie accompanied by the Secretary General, Janedjri M. Gaffar, five special advisors and secretariat staff of the Constitutional Court had visited daily newspapers Seputar Indonesia (Sindo) office in the Kebon Sirih Tower, Jakarta.

The Chairman was welcomed by General Executive Sindo Hary Tanoesoedibjo and Chief Editor Sururi Al Faruq.  

In his welcome remark, Tanoesoedibjo considered the visit as a positive approach in strengthening relationships between the two institutions  and providing opportunities to Sindo in understanding MK closely.

In his response, the Chairman congratulated Sindo for its achievement in improving the number of its circulations to 150,000 and its distributions to many provinces.

The Chairman reminded the significance of Media Visit program as a way to develop relationships between MK and mass media since the later have helped publish news about MK. In this meeting, too, he asked Sindo to act professionally in printing decisions and activities of MK.

The Chairman especially emphasized several points including:

First, in writing news reporters should be fair and should gather information from both sides or more. They should not only listen to one side.

Second, not crashing MK to other institutions which or persons who are involved in conflicts, rather collecting information from them.

Third, not conflicting the substance of MK’s decisions but investigating the implication of those decisions.

Fourth, mass media should understand that all constitutional judges do not have’ a right to answer.’ Thus, when many statements concerning MK’s decisions, even when the Judges knew those comments were incorrect, however they could not comment the MK’s decisions and could not comment over other’s statements.

Fifth, as professionals, reporters should treat MK professionally since all judges in MK are professionals, too.

Sixth, journalists should prioritize principles of professionalism in printing news that would be read by public.

Seventh, journalists should understand functions and positions of MK that is different from MA (Supreme Court) and other criminal as well as civil courts.

Mr. Chairman also told the audience that mass media, especially print media carry a responsibility in improving reading habits and creating learning society.

MK and mass media should work together in helping people not only learn how to read but also make the reading as a tradition. Furthermore, make the reading as an essential need like eating and drinking. But this needs a lot of work because reading is not the same as eating and drinking that need no promotion.

The meeting was attended by several editors and reporters. Some of the journalists asked interesting questions that showed their willingness to know about MK and also they asked comparisons of MK’s functions and position in Indonesia and in other countries.  

The Chairman responded every question comprehensively. At the end of the visit, he urged all journalists to learn and to tell public about MK as part of constitutional education. In addition, he expressed his plan to conduct series of trainings on increasing understanding on constitution, and functions and position of MK for journalists to avoid misunderstanding about MK in their report. (NM)