House screens KPI candidates<\/p>\n
Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The House of Representatives subcommission for communications and
\ninformation began to assess on Thursday the suitability of
\ncandidates for membership of the Indonesian Broadcasting
\nCommission (KPI), paying much attention to their integrity and
\nindependence.<\/p>\n
When grilling Bimo Nugroho, Mochamad Sukarna, Mahayoni, Wahyu
\nS. Hadiardoyo and Dedi Iskandar Muda, the legislators were
\ncurious about the candidates' responses to questions about
\ncommercialization of the mass media and possible links to
\nbroadcasting moguls.<\/p>\n
The legislators did not, however, explore the candidates'
\nvision of the KPI as a regulator of the national broadcasting
\nindustry.<\/p>\n
Sukarna and Wahyu were questioned on their employment by
\nbroadcasting companies opposed to the formation of the KPI.<\/p>\n
Sukarna, who is now the general manager of private channel
\nANTeve and was previously at LaTivi, asserted there would be no
\nconflict of interest if he were chosen, while Wahyu said he had
\nquit Radio Muslim.<\/p>\n
ANTeve and LaTivi are members of the Association of Private
\nTelevision Broadcasters, while Radio Muslim is a member of the
\nAssociation of Private Radio Stations.<\/p>\n
Both associations have been opposing Law No.32\/2002 on
\nbroadcasting and the formation of the KPI on the ground that they
\nposed a threat to press freedom.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Dedi was questioned on his status as a civil
\nservant as head of the South Kalimantan branch of state TV
\nchannel TVRI. In his reply, Dedi said he would resign from his
\npost if he were chosen.<\/p>\n
During his session, Bimo, the director of the Institute for
\nthe Free Flow of Information (ISAI), told the lawmakers of his
\nplan to develop the KPI as a democratic regulator. He said he
\nwould cooperate with the broadcasting industry and be transparent
\nin the reorganization and allocation of broadcasting frequencies.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Dedi proposed short-term cooperation between the
\nKPI and the General Elections Commission (KPU) to strictly
\nregulate broadcast campaigns during the election campaign next
\nyear.<\/p>\n
The screening will continue on Friday with six candidates. The
\ngovernment nominated 27 candidates who will vie for nine seats on
\nthe KPI.<\/p>\n
Law No.32\/2002 on broadcasting orders that the government
\nestablish the KPI by Dec. 28, 2003.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/house-screens-kpi-candidates-1447893297",
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