The Indonesian government has lifted most of the restrictions used during President Suharto's rule to control the publication of newspapers and magazines.

In the latest in a series of liberalising measures, the authorities say they are abolishing the system which allowed the government to close down newspapers by removing their licenses.

The state monopoly on radio news is also being ended.

Independent stations will be permitted to carry their own news broadcasts and transmit material from abroad.

The lifting of the restrictions has been welcomed by journalists, and editors of once banned magazines are planning to re-publish.