THE 1998 reformasi that toppled the New Order regime also ushered in a new era of freedom of the press. The Information Department no longer required anyone who wanted to establish a media company to obtain the government-issued publishing license. Tempo, which was shut down by the Suharto government in 1994, had the opportunity to start anew.

A debate ensued about whether Tempo needed to be resurrected or be left in peace as a legend of the pre