Religious radio stations question new bill<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Private radio stations belonging to religious
\ngroups are questioning a government-sponsored broadcasting bill
\nand its attempt to regulate their programming.<\/p>\n
Hernus Idris, manager of the Islamic As-syafiiyah radio
\nstation, and Budi Prabawani of the Christian-mission Pelita Kasih
\nradio station, called on the government to reconsider Article 9
\nof the bill which says that private broadcasting stations cannot
\nbe established for the sake of \"any political, ideological or
\nreligious interests\".<\/p>\n
Minister of Information Harmoko introduced the draft law for
\ndeliberation to the House of Representatives on Monday, citing
\nrapid information technology as one of the reasons why the bill
\nis badly needed.<\/p>\n
\"Our mission is to provide moral teachings for the community,
\nand this role is very important and needed in helping society
\nuphold its moral standards,\" Hernus told The Jakarta Post
\nyesterday.<\/p>\n
As-syafiiyah belongs to Islamic As-syafiiyah Foundation while
\nPelita Kasih was established by the evening Christian-oriented
\nnewspaper Suara Pembaruan in cooperation with Christian churches
\nin Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"Take the recent student brawls, for example,\" he said. \"Most
\neducation experts believe the students go down the streets and
\ncommit violent acts because they feel there's something missing
\nin them, and this missing thing is religious values.<\/p>\n
\"What we're trying to do is fill this emptiness,\" Hernus said.<\/p>\n
\"We're facing an era of globalization, and a teaching of moral
\nvalues which is provided by radio stations like ours is badly
\nneeded,\" Budi said. \"This teaching will help our community
\nfortify its defense against the negative impacts of
\nglobalization.\"<\/p>\n
Another item in the bill which observers said is potentially
\ncontentious is Article 32, which bans ads made for religious and
\npolitical purposes.<\/p>\n
\"Commercials may not promote religious teachings, political or
\nideological teachings, or the interests of any individuals or
\ngroups,\" the bill says.<\/p>\n
Hernus questioned the formulation of the article. \"Does it
\nmean to say that religious teachings cannot be 'sold' in a
\ncommercial?\" he asked. \"It would then seem that we are being
\nprohibited from 'selling religion'. But Islam already prohibits
\nus from doing so.\"<\/p>\n
One of the Ministry of Information's explanations for the
\nbanning is because it believes the broadcasting of \"religious and
\npolitical promotional ads\" violates advertising regulations.<\/p>\n
But Budi said her radio station's mission is to promote, not
\npush, Christianity. \"We manage our programs very carefully,\" she
\nsaid. \"We don't want to do it in such a way as to appear
\n'extreme'.\"<\/p>\n
Aminullah Ibrahim, a member of the House Commission 1 for
\ninformation, acknowledged that the bill contains a number of
\npotentially controversial issues.<\/p>\n
\"This bill needs much clarification,\" he said, adding that he
\ndoes believe that the bill was a good step as Indonesia has never
\nhad a broadcasting law.<\/p>\n
He said that now that the bill has been drawn up and is ready
\nfor deliberation, the public should help by providing input.<\/p>\n
The House has planned to invite experts as well as members of
\nthe public to come and give suggestions, he said.<\/p>\n
The bill is expected to be passed into law this year, he said.
\n(01)<\/p>\n
Editorial -- Page 4<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/religious-radio-stations-question-new-bill-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }