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.