Bambang Harymurti facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bambang Harymurti
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Harymurti in 2009
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| Born | 10 December 1956 Jakarta
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| Nationality | Indonesian |
| Education | Bandung Institute of Technology |
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Spouse(s) | Marga Alisjahbana |
Bambang Harymurti (born 10 December 1956), often called BHM, is a well-known Indonesian journalist. He was the editor-in-chief of Tempo magazine. He is currently helping to lead Indonesia's Press Council.
About Bambang Harymurti
Bambang Harymurti was born on December 10, 1956. His father, Ahmad Sudarsono, was a pilot in the air force. As a child, Bambang had a big dream: he wanted to become an astronaut!
His Early Career
Bambang Harymurti studied electrical engineering at Bandung Institute of Technology. He also earned a master's degree from Harvard University in the United States. Even though he hoped to join Indonesia's space program, he started working at Tempo magazine in 1982. He did this to help his family after his father passed away.
He has worked for several important news organizations. These include Tempo, Time, and Media Indonesia. His work as a journalist has won him awards. For example, he received the "Excellence in Journalism" award in 1997. He also won the PWI Jawa Timur Pena Award in 2006. From 1991 to 1994, he was in charge of Tempo magazine's office in Washington, D.C..
Interestingly, while working for Tempo and covering Indonesia's space program, Bambang even qualified as a possible astronaut!
In 1997, he faced a challenge at Media Indonesia. He was temporarily suspended from his job as an executive editor. He said it was because he didn't follow orders. People thought it might have been because the newspaper was critical of the president at that time.
Bambang Harymurti became the chief editor of Tempo magazine in 1999. He took over from one of the magazine's co-founders, Goenawan Mohamad.
Standing Up for Journalism
In 2003, a reporter from Tempo magazine, Ahmad Taufik, wrote an article. This article suggested that a wealthy businessman, Tomy Winata, might have been involved in a big market fire in Jakarta. The article mentioned that Winata had plans to rebuild the market shortly before the fire.
After the article was published, Tempo magazine faced threats. A group of protesters came to their offices. They reportedly threatened the staff and even hurt some of them. Bambang Harymurti and another reporter went to the police station to report what happened. They were also reportedly hurt there, even with police nearby.
The businessman, Tomy Winata, then filed a lawsuit against Tempo. He accused them of writing false information. Many people, including news organizations around the world, saw this case as an attack on press freedom in Indonesia. They believed it was important for journalists to be able to report the truth without fear.
On September 16, 2004, Bambang Harymurti was found responsible for the article. He was sentenced to a year in prison. However, the other two journalists involved were found not responsible. Many international groups that support press freedom spoke out against this decision. They believed it was wrong to punish a journalist for doing their job.
On February 9, 2005, which is National Press Day in Indonesia, the highest court in Indonesia overturned Bambang Harymurti's sentence. This meant he did not have to go to prison. The court said that journalists should be protected. Bambang Harymurti was very happy with the decision. He said it was a victory not just for him, but for all journalists in Indonesia.
Today, Bambang Harymurti serves as the deputy chair of Indonesia's Press Council. This council works to protect and support journalists in the country.
His Family Life
Bambang Harymurti married his long-time friend, Marga Alisjahbana, in 1984. They have two children together.
