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)