Battle over public opinion

Battle over public opinion

Lurking behind the controversy over the Bill on Broadcasting,
which the House of Representatives endorsed on Thursday, is the
battle for control over public opinion. Many of those who oppose
the bill contend that it would stifle democracy because the
restrictions imposed would impede people's right to free flows of
information. But rarely have public discussions on the bill
touched on the ownership and control of TV stations, and their
potential impact on public opinion, and hence on democracy.

As media of communication, both radio and television are very
far reaching. Daily newspapers are struggling to even reach 10
million, or barely five percent of Indonesia's 210 million
population, but radio has a 90 percent reach, and TV roughly
between 60 and 70 percent.

That means that the majority of the population in Indonesia
receive their daily intake of news and information from these
broadcasting institutions. Those who own or control radio and TV
stations therefore have powerful influence over public opinion.

While radio stations in Indonesia are already mostly localized
with the exception of the state-run RRI, virtually all the major
commercial TV stations enjoy national status, just like that
enjoyed by the state-run TVRI. In other words, with one single
operation from Jakarta, the major commercial TV stations can have
a powerful influence over people from Sabang in Aceh to Merauke
in Papua.

There are currently 10 major commercial TV stations that
operate from Jakarta, giving the impression that there is enough
competition, and that no one has a monopoly over public opinion.

A closer look at the ownership of these stations, however,
tells us a different and disturbing story. All but one of the 10
TV stations are owned by people who are either related, or
connected, to the family of former president Soeharto. Although
Soeharto and his cronies are out of power, they still effectively
control a large chunk of public opinion.

Those who manage the stations or their news may profess
independence, but there have been incidents in which owners
intervene for their political or business interests.

The last thing Indonesia needs today is for the likes of
Thaksin and Berlusconi seizing power. We do not need to go very
far to see a display of the commercial TV stations' power over
public opinion here. They have effectively mobilized public
opinion to oppose the Bill on Broadcasting this past month.

The bill, which now awaits President Megawati Soekarnoputri's
signature for it to become law, is deflating the monopolistic
power of the "Cendana extended family", by requiring each
commercial TV station to operate locally, at provincial rather
than national level as at present.

We are not sure if this was the intention, but the 10 TV
stations based in Jakarta will effectively lose some of their
nationwide public opinion clout, unless they invest heavily to
localize their operations across all 30 provinces. Given their
financial clout, they can still do this. But the restriction has
at least opened up the possibility for new players, hopefully
unconnected with the previous regime, to compete, and therefore
level the playing field in the battle for public opinion.

While we endorse the Broadcasting Bill, it does not come
without reservations. There is a valid fear that the bill, once
put in practice, will still give undue power to the government in
regulating the broadcasting industry, particularly in assigning
frequency to the TV or radio stations, and in licensing their
operations.

The legislation however clearly states that those powers are
in the hands of the new and independent Broadcasting Commission,
and the government's role is limited to assisting the
commission's work.

Those who are concerned about the return of government
censorship over the media must therefore take their next battle
to the composition of the commission. We have to make sure that
the commissions, both at the national and provincial levels, are
filled by independent-minded people with integrity and with
proven track record in supporting civil society causes.

The Bill on Broadcasting has been in the works for too long.
It has been revised and re-revised to accommodate the interests
of every one, including existing players in the industry, but not
their entire demands. The ultimate criteria must be on how this
legislation serves the interests of the public, and given the
nature of broadcasting, on how it enhances democracy.

True, democracy is served best by giving the public the
greatest access to information. But democracy will also be served
better by limiting the powers of any one group in society, be it
the government, the private business groups or anybody else, from
having a monopoly or quasi-monopolistic powers over public
opinion.