KPI flooded with protests about 'biased' programs<\/p>\n
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) has received an
\nincreasing number of complaints against television stations for
\nrunning programs that allegedly favor particular candidates
\ncontesting the upcoming presidential election.<\/p>\n
KPI member Ade Armando said on Friday the most recent
\ncomplaint was filed against state-funded TVRI for broadcasting
\nnews allegedly favoring a particular candidate.<\/p>\n
\"We recently received a protest alleging that TVRI focused its
\nnews on one presidential candidate. We will have to look into the
\ncomplaint,\" Ade told The Jakarta Post on Friday.<\/p>\n
He did not say who the candidate was or which organization had
\nfiled the complaint.<\/p>\n
Five presidential candidates are contesting the country's
\nfirst direct presidential election on July 5. They are retired
\ngenerals Wiranto and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the incumbent
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri, Amien Rais, and Hamzah Haz.<\/p>\n
Ade said his commission would monitor TVRI news to determine
\nwhether or not the complaint was valid.<\/p>\n
TVRI news director Nunuk Parwati said on Friday that her
\noffice had not received any complaints from either the KPI or the
\npublic so far.<\/p>\n
\"We refer to the General Elections Commission (KPU) regulation
\non campaigning, which says that the substance of news
\nbroadcasting depends on the news judgment of each editorial
\ndepartment,\" said Nunuk, adding that events were broadcast based
\non their newsworthiness.<\/p>\n
She said TVRI was also affording an equal opportunity to all
\nfive presidential candidates to set out their manifestos.<\/p>\n
\"Each candidate has been given four such opportunities,\" Nunuk
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
TVRI is not the first station to receive such complaints from
\nthe public. The KPI carried out investigations into Metro TV and
\nTrans TV last week.<\/p>\n
KPI chairman Victor Menayang said rumors were circulating that
\nMetro TV received payments amounting to billions of rupiah to
\nhost a daily, 30-minute program, Indonesia on the move.<\/p>\n
\"There are indications that it (Indonesia in the move) is a
\npaid-for program favoring the Indonesian Democratic Party of
\nStruggle (PDI-P) candidate,\" Victor said.<\/p>\n
He said should the allegation prove to be right Metro TV could
\nface criminal charges for violating Article 46 of Law No.32\/2002
\non broadcasting, which carries a maximum fine of up to
\nRp 2 billion (US$222,000).<\/p>\n
However, the TV station replied to KPI's protest letter,
\nsaying that it was Metro TV's own program and it was not unusual
\nfor the incumbent to have greater coverage on TV programs.<\/p>\n
Another protest was filed against Trans TV for allegedly
\noffering programs to block airtime for particular campaigns.<\/p>\n
The station brushed aside the accusation.<\/p>\n
KPI is now planning to work with the National Police to
\ninvestigate the Metro TV case for possible criminal charges.<\/p>\n
\"We do not have the authority to investigate and need the
\npolice to look into it,\" said Ade.<\/p>",
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