Culture

Indonesian Playboy not indecent: court ruling

by Kaitlin | April 5, 2007 at 10:35 am

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The Indonesian version of Playboy Magazine is now a little under a year old, and it seems may live to see a few years more. Indecency charges filed on the magazine, which is published and distributed in the largest Muslim country in the world, have been dropped. However, the future remains uncertain for the magazine, which is very tame by North American standards (think Victoria's Secret catalogue as opposed to the Playboy we're familiar with). The magazine's editor, Erwin Arnada, has already had to move offices to Bali to avoid attacks. On the heels of the verdict, Muslim groups remain firm, stating they "will attack the Playboy office."

Prosecutors are considering if they will refile charges against Mr Arnada. It is unclear if proposed cases against some of the Playboy models will continue in light of yesterday's verdict.

Mr Arnada said the verdict demonstrated freedom of the press was valued in Indonesia. "This is a good birthday present for Playboy," he said. The magazine was first published last April.

Islamic leaders and cabinet ministers had joined the opposition to Playboy following large public demonstrations. They claimed the magazine was corrupting Indonesia with "Western decadence".

Indonesia's parliament is still considering sweeping anti-pornography laws that would ban any pictures or films that could be considered titillating. Under the proposed laws, women could be jailed for wearing "provocative clothing" that revealed their navels or emphasised their breasts.