Harmoko defends state's control over broadcasting<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Information Harmoko defended
\nyesterday the government's control over the nation's broadcasting
\nindustry given the influence it has over the lives of people.<\/p>\n
\"Broadcasting concerns public interest. Its operation
\ntherefore must be controlled by the government,\" Harmoko told a
\nplenary session of the House of Representatives in deliberating
\nthe government-sponsored bill on broadcasting.<\/p>\n
During an earlier reading, various factions in the House
\ncriticized the bill, saying it gives the government too much
\npower in regulating the broadcasting industry. They were
\nparticularly concerned that the bill empowers the government to
\nissue 22 regulations over the operation of radio and television
\nstations.<\/p>\n
The bill, for example, requires a private television network
\nto apply for a separate license from the government, besides the
\nbroadcasting permit, to produce and broadcast news.<\/p>\n
Yesterday's hearing, chaired by Deputy Speaker Sutedjo, was
\nthe third reading of the bill which will, for the first time,
\nprovide private broadcasters with a legal framework. Currently
\nbroadcasters operate under various government rules.<\/p>\n
Harmoko underlined that the bill gives broadcasters roles in
\neducation, information and entertainment all at once.<\/p>\n
The proposed legislation is aimed at protecting the public's
\ninterest from the harmful impacts of broadcasting, he said.<\/p>\n
He promised there will not be 22 separate decrees coming out
\nof the bill once it is passed, since some items can regulated
\nunder one decree.<\/p>\n
The minister said a separate permit for news broadcasting is
\nnecessary as it entails journalistic activities that underlines
\nthe responsibility and credibility of a broadcasting operator.<\/p>\n
\"Given the huge and direct influence that news has on the
\npublic, private broadcasters must fulfill various conditions,
\namong others an ability to manage news and the existence of
\nprofessional workers (journalists) and supervisors responsible
\nfor the operation,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"The licensing for news is not intended to burden the private
\nbroadcasters at all,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's five private television networks had hoped the
\nbill would give them a solid legal foundation to be able to
\nproduce and broadcast their own news. Currently, although some do
\nproduce their own news programs they must still relay the news
\nproduced by TVRI, the state-owned television network.<\/p>\n
Harmoko also dismissed concerns that the bill, if passed, will
\nempower the government to close down broadcasting operators.<\/p>\n
He said his office discussed the stipulation with the National
\nPolice, the Attorney General's Office, the Ministry of Justice
\nand the Ministry of Defense and Security when drafting the bill.<\/p>\n
The United Development Party (PPP) faction in the House
\nearlier expressed concern at the immense power the government
\nwill have over broadcasting operators, including the right to
\nliquidate a company, if the bill was enacted.<\/p>\n
The faction drew an analogy to the use of the 1967 Press Law
\nwhich empowers the government to close down a newspaper by
\nrescinding its license.<\/p>\n
\"We do not want what happens to the press to be repeated with
\nthe broadcasting media,\" Zainal Abidin, PPP's spokesman said.<\/p>\n
While arguing against some of the criticism, Harmoko took note
\nof the various concerns and said that the government was prepared
\nto discuss these concerns with the House and find compromises.<\/p>\n
One of the points he said he was willing to discuss was the
\nrequirement that TV stations dub all foreign programs into
\nIndonesian, an issue that has sparked a national polemic.<\/p>\n
The PPP, Golkar and Armed Forces factions have all suggested
\nthat the ruling be applied selectively rather than on all foreign
\nprograms. (01)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/harmoko-defends-states-control-over-broadcasting-1447893297",
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