Legislators defiant over calls to delay controversial broadcasting bill<\/p>\n
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Ignoring public criticism of several contentious articles in the
\nbroadcasting bill, some legislators on Friday refused to postpone
\nthe endorsement of the bill scheduled for Sept. 23.<\/p>\n
They attributed the criticism of the bill to people's
\nmisunderstanding and lack of accurate information.<\/p>\n
Therefore, they said, dissemination of information about the
\nfinal draft would be the appropriate step instead of a delay.<\/p>\n
Legislators Paulus Widiyanto, Effendy Choirie, and Djoko
\nSusilo were among those who insisted that the bill must be passed
\naccording to schedule.<\/p>\n
\"The most important thing is how to make the public understand
\nthe bill. This is a matter of understanding rather than of
\npostponement,\" Effendy from the National Awakening Party (PKB)
\ntold the media here.<\/p>\n
Legislators and the minister will meet on Monday to decide
\nwhether the endorsement will take place as scheduled or be
\ndelayed.<\/p>\n
Paulus of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
\nPerjuangan) and Djoko of the Reform faction concurred, saying
\nthat the final draft will be made available to the public next
\nweek.<\/p>\n
\"Dissemination of information on the bill will help create a
\ncommon understanding,\" Paulus said.<\/p>\n
Djoko, meanwhile, said if the government insisted on delaying
\nthe endorsement, it must agree to drop articles which give
\ncertain civil servants working in the broadcasting sector special
\nauthority to investigate possible crimes in the broadcasting
\nsector and even suspend a broadcasting operation.<\/p>\n
State Minister of Communications and Information Syamsul
\nMu'arif earlier suggested that the endorsement of the bill be
\nrescheduled to allow the public to become acquainted with the
\nbill and to gain input from the public.<\/p>\n
Criticism and protests from the public have been pouring in
\nagainst the broadcasting bill.<\/p>\n
They say the bill may curb freedom of expression and the right
\nto information.<\/p>\n
The Union of Indonesian Television Journalists (IJTI) has
\nurged legislators and the minister to delay the contentious bill,
\ndespite some positive articles in it.<\/p>\n
Some of the criticism revolves around the excessive power
\ngranted to the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI), a
\nregulatory body to be set up.<\/p>\n
Instead of allowing the radio and television broadcasting
\ncompanies freedom to arrange their own programs, the bill
\nmandates the setting up of KPI that will have the authority to
\ndetermine broadcasting manuals, program standards and to process
\nall violations of the regulations.<\/p>\n
Critics say the broadcasting bill will reinstate the monopoly
\nexercised by state television TVRI in providing nationwide
\nbroadcasting.<\/p>\n
Under the bill, only a public station is allowed to carry out
\nnationwide broadcasting. All private televisions, therefore must
\nbuild networks in the regions to enable them to enlarge their
\ncoverage.<\/p>\n
However, Djoko reiterated that the rising criticism and
\nprotests were due to the distorted perception of the radio and
\ntelevision broadcasting unions.<\/p>\n
He blamed the government for its wish to interfere in
\nregulating and supervising the broadcasting activities.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Paulus who chairs the special committee for the
\nbroadcasting bill deliberation said that legislators wanted the
\nestablishment of an independent regulatory body, and the
\ngovernment did not like this idea.<\/p>\n
Not only that, there have been some concerns that the
\nlicensing and the various powers given to KPI could transform the
\nbody into a powerful institution that could inhibit press
\nfreedom.<\/p>\n
Neither the government nor the House could guarantee that KPI
\nwould protect press freedom.<\/p>\n
Contentious articles<\/p>\n
1. Article 7 (2):
\nThe Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) is independent and
\nregulates broadcasting activities.<\/p>\n
2. Article 8 (2):
\nIn carrying out its functions, KPI has the authority:<\/p>\n
a. to establish rules and codes of conduct for broadcasting
\nactivities<\/p>\n
b. to supervise the implementation of the rules and codes of
\nconduct<\/p>\n
c. to give sanctions to those violating rules and codes of
\nconduct.<\/p>\n
3. Article 16 (1):
\nCentralized ownership of private broadcasts by one person or one
\ncompany both in one or several areas of coverage is restricted.<\/p>\n
4. Article 20 (2):
\nPublic broadcasting stations can conduct broadcasting activities
\nusing a network station system covering all parts of Indonesia.
\nArticle 20 (3): Private broadcasting stations can conduct
\nbroadcasting activities using a network station system, with a
\nlimited coverage.<\/p>\n
5. Article 22:
\nA broadcasting license is issued by the state following a
\nrecommendation from KPI.<\/p>\n
6. Article 27 (3):
\nRelay of fixed programs from foreign broadcasting institutions is
\nlimited in terms of their duration, types and number.<\/p>\n
7. Article 53 (1): In addition to police investigators, certain
\ncivil servants whose work and responsibility cover the
\nbroadcasting sector are given special authority as investigators,
\nas governed by the Criminal Code, to investigate crimes in the
\nbroadcasting sector.<\/p>\n
8. Transitory provision:
\nExisting broadcasting stations must adapt to this law within at
\nleast two years after its enactment.<\/p>\n
Source: Broadcasting Bill<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/legislators-defiant-over-calls-to-delay-controversial-broadcasting-bill-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }