KPI wants authority to issue broadcasting licenses<\/p>\n
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) submitted to the
\ngovernment on Friday a proposal that would make the commission
\nthe sole authority mandated to issue broadcasting licenses.<\/p>\n
KPI deputy chairman Sinansari Ecip said he hoped President
\nSusilo Bambang Yudhoyono would adopt the draft ancillary
\nregulation needed to support the Broadcasting Law.<\/p>\n
"One important aspect of this draft is a stipulation that the
\nKPI is the sole authority permitted to issue broadcasting
\nlicenses," Sinansari told a media briefing here on Friday.<\/p>\n
The proposed regulation was meant to counter a similar draft
\nissued earlier by the government, under which the government
\nwould have the sole authority to issue broadcasting licenses.<\/p>\n
Broadcasting Law No. 32\/2002, which mandates KPI's
\nestablishment only states that the state has the authority to
\nissue broadcasting licenses.<\/p>\n
Currently, broadcasting licenses are issued by the Ministry of
\nCommunications, which also regulates radio frequencies.<\/p>\n
The debate over who has the authority to issue broadcasting
\nlicenses started during the presidency of Megawati Soekarnoputri,
\nwith both the government and the KPI sticking to their own
\npositions.<\/p>\n
Sinansari said the KPI would ask the Supreme Court for a
\njudicial review should the government stick to its previous
\nstance.<\/p>\n
Leo Batubara from the Indonesian Press and Broadcasting
\nSociety (MPPI) threw his support behind the KPI and expressed the
\nhope that President Susilo would adopt the draft submitted by the
\ncommission.<\/p>\n
Leo said the broadcasting community has been waiting for the
\nissuance of ancillary government regulations as stipulated in the
\nBroadcasting Law.<\/p>\n
"If the authority to issue broadcasting licenses is given to
\nthe government, it may be abused," Leo said.<\/p>\n
According to Leo, the authority should be given to the KPI
\nbecause the public could control the body through the House of
\nRepresentatives.<\/p>\n
Aside from broadcasting licenses, the draft regulations
\nprepared by the KPI also include stipulations on penalties and
\nownership.<\/p>\n
"Our draft is simpler than that of the past government,"
\nSinansari said, referring to seven drafts prepared by the
\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
Fellow KPI member Bimo Nugroho said that he hoped the public
\nwould assess the draft and submit their opinions to the
\ngovernment as input.<\/p>\n
Comparison of KPI draft and government draft<\/p>\n
Issues KPI Government<\/p>\n
KPI Position Independent Govt instrument<\/p>\n
Issuance of KPI Minister
\nLicense<\/p>\n
Position of Independent Govt instrument
\nPublic
\nbroadcasters<\/p>\n
Source: KPI<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kpi-wants-authority-to-issue-broadcasting-licenses-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }