Several publications have been threatened by mobs, supporters of parties or groups who've been offended by what's written or broadcast. A radio station in Solo, Central Java, recently agreed to close for a week because of an angry reaction to a report seen as offensive to Islam. Other outlets have been subjected to threatening phone calls, vandalism and demonstrations. Now it's almost embarrassing the way you can bully them and intimidate them. The officials don't know how to react, what their obligations and rights are.
Old excesses remain.
Last month, when former armed forces chief General Wiranto was resisting pressure from Wahid to quit, and immediately afterwards, he is said to have bought radio and TV air time where he was asked soft questions by tame questioners. There are other complaints of the media going too far. Defamation laws appear unenforceable. Claims of corruption sometimes are made with little proof. Officials regularly complain they are misquoted.