Battle over public opinion<\/p>\n
Lurking behind the controversy over the Bill on Broadcasting,
\nwhich the House of Representatives endorsed on Thursday, is the
\nbattle for control over public opinion. Many of those who oppose
\nthe bill contend that it would stifle democracy because the
\nrestrictions imposed would impede people's right to free flows of
\ninformation. But rarely have public discussions on the bill
\ntouched on the ownership and control of TV stations, and their
\npotential impact on public opinion, and hence on democracy.<\/p>\n
As media of communication, both radio and television are very
\nfar reaching. Daily newspapers are struggling to even reach 10
\nmillion, or barely five percent of Indonesia's 210 million
\npopulation, but radio has a 90 percent reach, and TV roughly
\nbetween 60 and 70 percent.<\/p>\n
That means that the majority of the population in Indonesia
\nreceive their daily intake of news and information from these
\nbroadcasting institutions. Those who own or control radio and TV
\nstations therefore have powerful influence over public opinion.<\/p>\n
While radio stations in Indonesia are already mostly localized
\nwith the exception of the state-run RRI, virtually all the major
\ncommercial TV stations enjoy national status, just like that
\nenjoyed by the state-run TVRI. In other words, with one single
\noperation from Jakarta, the major commercial TV stations can have
\na powerful influence over people from Sabang in Aceh to Merauke
\nin Papua.<\/p>\n
There are currently 10 major commercial TV stations that
\noperate from Jakarta, giving the impression that there is enough
\ncompetition, and that no one has a monopoly over public opinion.<\/p>\n
A closer look at the ownership of these stations, however,
\ntells us a different and disturbing story. All but one of the 10
\nTV stations are owned by people who are either related, or
\nconnected, to the family of former president Soeharto. Although
\nSoeharto and his cronies are out of power, they still effectively
\ncontrol a large chunk of public opinion.<\/p>\n
Those who manage the stations or their news may profess
\nindependence, but there have been incidents in which owners
\nintervene for their political or business interests.<\/p>\n
The last thing Indonesia needs today is for the likes of
\nThaksin and Berlusconi seizing power. We do not need to go very
\nfar to see a display of the commercial TV stations' power over
\npublic opinion here. They have effectively mobilized public
\nopinion to oppose the Bill on Broadcasting this past month.<\/p>\n
The bill, which now awaits President Megawati Soekarnoputri's
\nsignature for it to become law, is deflating the monopolistic
\npower of the "Cendana extended family", by requiring each
\ncommercial TV station to operate locally, at provincial rather
\nthan national level as at present.<\/p>\n
We are not sure if this was the intention, but the 10 TV
\nstations based in Jakarta will effectively lose some of their
\nnationwide public opinion clout, unless they invest heavily to
\nlocalize their operations across all 30 provinces. Given their
\nfinancial clout, they can still do this. But the restriction has
\nat least opened up the possibility for new players, hopefully
\nunconnected with the previous regime, to compete, and therefore
\nlevel the playing field in the battle for public opinion.<\/p>\n
While we endorse the Broadcasting Bill, it does not come
\nwithout reservations. There is a valid fear that the bill, once
\nput in practice, will still give undue power to the government in
\nregulating the broadcasting industry, particularly in assigning
\nfrequency to the TV or radio stations, and in licensing their
\noperations.<\/p>\n
The legislation however clearly states that those powers are
\nin the hands of the new and independent Broadcasting Commission,
\nand the government's role is limited to assisting the
\ncommission's work.<\/p>\n
Those who are concerned about the return of government
\ncensorship over the media must therefore take their next battle
\nto the composition of the commission. We have to make sure that
\nthe commissions, both at the national and provincial levels, are
\nfilled by independent-minded people with integrity and with
\nproven track record in supporting civil society causes.<\/p>\n
The Bill on Broadcasting has been in the works for too long.
\nIt has been revised and re-revised to accommodate the interests
\nof every one, including existing players in the industry, but not
\ntheir entire demands. The ultimate criteria must be on how this
\nlegislation serves the interests of the public, and given the
\nnature of broadcasting, on how it enhances democracy.<\/p>\n
True, democracy is served best by giving the public the
\ngreatest access to information. But democracy will also be served
\nbetter by limiting the powers of any one group in society, be it
\nthe government, the private business groups or anybody else, from
\nhaving a monopoly or quasi-monopolistic powers over public
\nopinion.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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