Broadcasting regulatory agency
Broadcasting regulatory agency
From Panji
Article 2 of Law No. 40/1999 on the press stipulates that press freedom is the manifestation of the people's sovereignty on the basis of the principles of democracy, justice and the supremacy of the law. Nevertheless, the role of the electronic media in our country does not seem to be clear. When the bill on broadcasting was discussed by the special committee of the House of Representatives there was quite a significant difference in opinion between the House, the broadcasting community and the government (the Ministry of Communications and Telecommunications), especially about a regulatory agency.
In my opinion, these differences must be resolved wisely in the spirit of reform as contained in the article referred to above, in order to ensure that every effort will be directed toward achieving a better social life as guaranteed by the law, which accommodates common benefits.
The regulatory agency referred to above -- regardless of what name is given to it -- must be based on principles which do not contradict democracy, human rights and the supremacy of the law, aside from protecting the community in regard to information and not reflecting the executive power, as was the case of the previous broadcasting law (Law No. 27/1997).
In performing its duties and functions, this regulatory agency must really be independent and be made up of broadcasting experts, community representatives or representatives of the government who have not been co-opted by the powers-that-be and the interests of the executive power. Therefore, this state agency must be beneficial to the community as a whole and not only to the government.
The broadcast media plays an important role in ensuring the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia and the spirit of democracy found in the 1945 Constitution will be upheld in the present era of globalization. To beef up the basis for the new law on broadcasting, the establishment of a code of conduct for broadcasting must be made the main priority in a move toward professional broadcasting.
MURDIANTO
Jakarta