Indonesia - The Australian-made film "Balibo" is banned nationally by an Indonesian court that shows heinous war atrocity by Indonesian troops in East Timor.
A petition was lodged by the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AIJ) who wanted to lift the ban but the judges rejected it, saying it could possibly harm the relationship between Indonesia and Australia.
The story tells about the five Australian journalists who was brutally murdered Indonesian troops in the town of Balibo in October. The film is directed by Robert Connolly and starting Anthony LaPaglia.
"The court said the film could incite political sensitivities in relations between the countries," AJI lawyer Hendrayana said, adding that the ruling was idiosyncratic and ignored the public interest.
"The public should know what really happened (to the journalists). We'll appeal the decision to a higher court."
Earlier the censor outlawed the moves, giving reasons of biased and twisted Indonesian historic events.
In the defense, Indonesia claims the reporters, who were not all Australian but two Britons and one New Zealander - were killed in crossfire.
The widow of deceased Australian journalist Greg Shackleton said that his husband had gone to East Timor to making report on the infiltration, torture villagers by Indonesian soldiers, raping women and cold blooded murder of people there.
The ban once again has raised question of free speech and democracy in Indonesia. At least 100,000 East Timorese were killed during Indonesia's 24-year capture the land. The country is still to prosecute a single military officers over brutal war atrocity.
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