House criticizes broadcasting bill<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives yesterday found
\nfaults with almost every part of the government-sponsored bill on
\nbroadcasting and called for improvements.<\/p>\n
The bill, submitted for House deliberation by Minister of
\nInformation Harmoko last month, attempted to regulate, among
\nother things, licensing for broadcasting stations' programs. Some
\nHouse factions agreed that the attempt only indicated the
\ngovernment's wish to control the media.<\/p>\n
Other factions at the House said during a plenary session
\nattended by Harmoko that the government had failed to complement
\nthe bill with necessary directives.<\/p>\n
Legislators from the Armed Forces (ABRI), the Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party (PDI), the ruling Golkar and the United
\nDevelopment Party (PPP) factions, however, were in agreement that
\nthe bill \"needs clarification\".<\/p>\n
\"This bill still needs so many explanations before it can be
\naccepted and passed into law,\" Sophan Sophiaan from the PDI
\nfaction said.<\/p>\n
Sophan pointed at the bill's article which states that private
\ntelevision stations may broadcast straight news only after they
\nobtain special government permits. Currently, private television
\nand radio stations have to relay the state-owned radio and
\ntelevision stations' news. In practice, however, all of the
\nstations produce their own news broadcasts, in addition to the
\nrelay.<\/p>\n
\"This article will destroy people's creativity,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He quoted Article 28 of the 1945 Constitution, which
\nguarantees freedom of expression. \"To broadcast is the people's
\nright,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The minority party proposed that the article be withdrawn from
\nthe bill.<\/p>\n
PPP's legislator, Endang Zainal Abidin, seconded PDI and said
\nthe stipulation for broadcasting permission only hampers the true
\nmission of broadcast stations, namely to disseminate information.<\/p>\n
He said the article only serves to show how the government is
\ntrying to control the media.<\/p>\n
The ABRI and Golkar factions, however, endorsed articles which
\nwill give the government more control over broadcasting stations.<\/p>\n
\"Considering the importance of information in this age ... the
\nABRI faction agrees that broadcasting institutions should be
\ndominated by the state,\" Toni Sugiarto said.<\/p>\n
Golkar's spokesperson, Rachman Arge, proposed a public agency
\nto control all broadcasting stations. (01)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/house-criticizes-broadcasting-bill-1447893297",
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