Television association against broadcast bill<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Television Broadcasting
\nAssociation (ATVSI) dismissed on Thursday the draft broadcast
\nbill being deliberated by the House of Representatives, saying it
\ndefied the spirit of reform and restricted press freedom.<\/p>\n
\"We have given our suggestions to the House of Representatives
\nspecial committee deliberating the bill, but thus far none of our
\nideas have been included in the bill,\" ATVSI chairman Anton A.
\nNangoy of ANTeve said during a media conference.<\/p>\n
Also present at the media conference were Soeastomo Soepardji
\nof Indosiar, who is also ATVSI's secretary-general, and Karni
\nIlyas and Albert Kuhon of SCTV.<\/p>\n
ATVSI groups the country's seven television stations -- TVRI,
\nRCTI, Indosiar, ANTeve, SCTV, TPI and Metro TV.<\/p>\n
Anton said the bill would burden broadcast stations with too
\nmany responsibilities and threatened them with punishments that
\nwere too severe, ranging from fines to jail sentences.<\/p>\n
Karni cited as an example Article 25, Paragraph 5, which bans
\nslanderous, provocative and\/or deceitful content, content that
\nunderscores violence, obscenity, gambling and narcotics, and any
\ncontent that could incite ethnic, religious and racial conflict.<\/p>\n
\"If the House approves the bill, I am afraid that covering the
\nethnic clashes in Sampit, Central Kalimantan, or sectarian riots
\nin Maluku would be considered a crime,\" Karni said.<\/p>\n
Violations of the article carry a maximum sentence of five
\nyears in jail and a Rp 20 billion (US$21 million) fine.<\/p>\n
\"These sanctions are even heavier than the punishments
\nstipulated in the Criminal Code,\" Karni said.<\/p>\n
Article 40 of the bill lays out administrative sanctions,
\nwhich include revocation of broadcast licenses.<\/p>\n
Anton said that while the association could accept the
\nexistence of the Indonesian Broadcast Commission (KPI), an
\nindependent supervisory and advisory body, ATVSI suggested the
\npower of KPI be reduced.<\/p>\n
Article 8 of the draft bill stipulates that KPI has the
\nauthority to recommend a broadcast station for a license, impose
\nsanctions in case of violations and establish a code of conduct
\nfor the broadcast community.<\/p>\n
\"We do not yet know who will be named to the commission. But
\nwith its vast authority, I think we are in the process of
\ncreating a new ministry of information like the one that existed
\nduring the New Order.<\/p>\n
\"Sanctions should be imposed only after hearing the defense of
\nan errant broadcast station or after a court ruling has been
\nissued,\" Anton said.<\/p>\n
In an effort to avoid the monopolization of technology and
\ncapital, the bill prohibits the cross-ownership of media
\nenterprises, so an individual cannot own various mass media.<\/p>\n
Metro TV and Media Indonesia daily general manager Surya Paloh
\nviewed the restrictions as a major setback.<\/p>\n
\"We are talking about new information technology in the global
\nera, in which efficiency of market and capital should top the
\npriority list.<\/p>\n
\"I do not see the centralization of technology and capital
\ncreating a conglomeration since mass media enterprises in the
\ncountry belong to a handful of people,\" Surya said in a dialog
\nbroadcast by SCTV.<\/p>\n
Despite his criticism of the broadcast bill, Anton said he
\nexpected to meet with the House special committee for
\ndiscussions.<\/p>\n
\"I believe the House members will spare us some time and
\nlisten to us one more time before approving the bill,\" Anton
\nsaid. (02)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/television-association-against-broadcast-bill-1447893297",
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