Hope for easy media permits

Hope for easy media permits

YOGYAKARTA: The Association of Indonesian Communication
Experts on Saturday urged the government to ease mass media
licensing.

At the end of its third national congress, the association
stressed that government should allow people a greater say in
communications development.

They recommended that government make it easier to establish
new regional newspapers, radio and television stations by easing
licensing and by providing loans.

"Deregulation is expected to prevent global capitals from
flowing into the national mass media," said an association
recommendation read by Andre Hardjana.

The association unanimously elected Teddy Kharsadi from
Jakarta as its new chairman to replace Astrid Susanto.

Teddy, also chief of the Association of Indonesian Public
Relations Officers, beat his opposition nominees, Ashadi Siregar
and Bahtiar Ali.

Amir Effendi Siregar from Yogyakarta was elected the new
general secretary. (har/pan)