Private TV stations want less state intervention<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The owners of private television stations called
\non the House of Representatives yesterday to review the
\nbroadcasting law enacted last year in order to minimize state
\ninterference in their operations.<\/p>\n
Andi Rallie Siregar, president of PT Rajawali Citra Televisi
\nIndonesia which operates RCTI, told a hearing with House
\nCommission I on information that the current law gave the
\ngovernment too much power to regulate commercial stations.<\/p>\n
The law was not consistent with the current \"reformation era\"
\nwhich demanded more freedom and creativity from the electronic
\nmedia, Rallie said.<\/p>\n
He underscored the need for TV stations to perform their
\nsocial control function, which he said included criticizing the
\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
He said clearer guidelines were necessary so that TV stations
\nwould not be accused of breaching the broadcasting law.<\/p>\n
\"Private stations will perform this function based on their
\nrealization that in a democracy the government must be subject to
\nchecks and balances,\" he said.<\/p>\n
An example of government intervention was given by SCTV
\npresident director Agus Mulyanto who cited the occasion last
\nmonth when he had to suspend the anchor and producers of the
\nLiputan 6 news program at the instigation of the government.<\/p>\n
Agus explained that the station had to suspend Ira Kusno, the
\npresenter of the program, after her May 18 live interview with
\nSarwono Kusumaatmadja, a former environment minister.<\/p>\n
In the program, Sarwono likened the Indonesian crisis to a
\ntoothache, and said the only cure was to remove the bad tooth.<\/p>\n
Agus said Sarwono departed from the previously agreed content
\nof the interview, according to Antara.<\/p>\n
Following the interview, SCTV received protests from
\ngovernment officials who also put pressure on the proprietors of
\nthe station. Some went as far as to threaten to close down the
\nprogram.<\/p>\n
SCTV suspended the staff involved in order to ensure the
\nprogram's continuation, Agus said, adding however that the
\nsuspension lasted only a week and all concerned had since
\nreturned to work.<\/p>\n
Agus and Rallie led a delegation of private TV broadcasters
\nwhich also included representatives from Indosiar, ANtv, and TPI.<\/p>\n
Representatives from private radio stations turned up, but
\nconspicuously missing was Siti Hardijanti Rukmana, the chairwoman
\nof the Association of Private Radio Stations.<\/p>\n
The absence the eldest daughter of former president Soeharto
\nwas not lost on the commission members.<\/p>\n
Usyam Hisam of United Development Party faction considered her
\ndecision to snub the commission's invitation an affront to the
\nHouse of Representatives.<\/p>\n
\"We are disappointed by her absence. Even Armed Forces
\nCommander Gen. Wiranto always made the effort to turn up, in
\nspite of his busy schedule, each time we invited him to come,\"
\nUsyam said.<\/p>\n
Rallie said all commercial stations were currently under
\nstrong financial pressures because of declining advertising
\nrevenues, now a mere 30 percent to 40 percent of their precrisis
\nlevels.<\/p>\n
The stations had reduced their daily broadcasting hours to
\nstay afloat, and unless the situation improved soon, some would
\neven have to consider reducing the number of days they broadcast.<\/p>\n
\"We don't even know whether we can remain on air next year,\"
\nhe said. \"We're practically counting our days,\" he added.
\n(rms\/emb)<\/p>",
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