New broadcast law promote decentralization: Supporters<\/p>\n
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The broadcasting bill, rejected by private televisions stations,
\nhas been hailed by the community broadcast network and media
\nobservers, contending it will help promote decentralization of
\ninformation dissemination.<\/p>\n
Ali Pangestu of the Indonesian Community Radios Network (JRKI)
\nsaid the new broadcasting bill would encourage the formation of
\nmore community-based broadcasting stations.<\/p>\n
\"The positive impact of that bill is that the people will
\nenjoy alternative information from the community broadcasting
\nstations.\"<\/p>\n
He noted that the existing national TV stations tended to be
\ncentralistic in their news programs, reporting mostly events in
\nJakarta. Many of them were not event relevant for people outside
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
Bimo Nugroho of the Institute for Free-flow of Information
\n(ISAI) concurred, saying the bill will end the practice of
\ncentralistic broadcast system.<\/p>\n
\"The rejection from private television stations is because
\nthey consider the stipulation will only create material losses to
\nthem,\" Bimo said.<\/p>\n
Executive director of the Indonesian Media Law and Policy
\nCenter (IMLPC) Hinca Pandjaitan also supported the endorsement of
\nthe bill.<\/p>\n
According to Hinca, the pros and cons over the endorsement of
\nthe bill was unavoidable because it would try to regulate the
\nindustry which was already flourishing. And this industry would
\nnot want to be curtailed.<\/p>\n
\"Whether we like it or not, the bill should be endorsed. All
\ncritics can give input for its revision in the future,\" Hinca
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The House of Representatives endorsed on Thursday the
\nbroadcasting bill amidst opposition from private television
\nstations.<\/p>\n
Broadcast media people opposed the bill on the grounds it
\nwould create uncertainty in the broadcasting industry as well as
\nlimit their operations.<\/p>\n
Under the bill, all television stations will not be allowed to
\nhave nationwide broadcasting. If stations insist on nationwide
\ncoverage, they must cooperate with local partners to form a
\nnetwork broadcast.<\/p>\n
If television operators are unwilling to make a network with
\nlocal broadcasters, then they have to stop local transmissions.<\/p>\n
Besides the broadcasters, some media activists have also
\nvoiced their rejection of the bill, which they said gave too much
\npower to the government and this could violate the people's right
\nto information.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, supporters like Ali and Bimo contend that the
\nrejection by broadcasters as well as other media organizations
\nwere more driven by their own interests of protecting their
\nbusinesses, at the expense of the people.<\/p>\n
Ali said the existing private television stations should give
\na chance for the bill to be implemented and when, in the future,
\nthey find something wrong with the bill, they can demand
\nrevisions.<\/p>\n
At least, Ali said, the new bill would create order in the
\nbroadcasting business, and also ensure that broadcasters would
\nnot dictate the public with their programs of pornography,
\nviolence and sadism.<\/p>\n
All those programs would be screened by the Indonesian
\nBroadcasting Commission (KPI), which is mandated by the new
\nbroadcasting bill.<\/p>\n
Under the bill, KPI will determine standards of broadcasting
\nprograms to be aired on television and radio stations.<\/p>\n
All programs must respect religious teachings, morality, limit
\nsexuality, sadism, violence as well as protect children,
\nteenagers, and women.<\/p>\n
The television station must also inform the public that
\ncertain programs are allowed for all ages and others are not.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/new-broadcast-law-promote-decentralization-supporters-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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