A plea for equal treatment

Good news has come from the House of Representatives. All the factions in the legislature have agreed to pass the draft law on broadcasting for signing into law by the President. Notable is the progress that has been made on a number of points during the debates. Public opinion has been adequately accommodated; the debates were lively; the public's interests have been heeded and the broadcasting media has not been disadvantaged.

The final draft of the law bans displays of violence, sadism, pornography, superstition, gambling, excessive permissiveness, consumerism, hedonism and feudalism. Violations will be punishable by fines of up to Rp 300 million or prison terms of up to three years. Censorship will also be imposed on advertisements. Tobacco and alcoholic beverage advertisements will be discouraged. The most important and heartening point is that in the case of serious violations a station's broadcasting permit may be revoked, but only after proper court procedures.

So far no television network has had its broadcasting license rescinded although oral and written warnings have been received by some. In the case of the printed media, however, similar violations would be punished by an immediate revocation of the publication's license without any court procedure. Such a process would be a political one, not a legal one. When a publishing license is withdrawn thousands of people may lose their livelihoods. The consequences would be much wider because it is the organization that is wiped out. Action is taken not just against the guilty parties.

A refreshed vitality and fresh air is indeed needed by all the media. Most important, however, is that more or less equal treatment is needed for all.

-- Republika, Jakarta