House criticizes broadcasting bill

JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives yesterday found faults with almost every part of the government-sponsored bill on broadcasting and called for improvements.

The bill, submitted for House deliberation by Minister of Information Harmoko last month, attempted to regulate, among other things, licensing for broadcasting stations' programs. Some House factions agreed that the attempt only indicated the government's wish to control the media.

Other factions at the House said during a plenary session attended by Harmoko that the government had failed to complement the bill with necessary directives.

Legislators from the Armed Forces (ABRI), the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), the ruling Golkar and the United Development Party (PPP) factions, however, were in agreement that the bill "needs clarification".

"This bill still needs so many explanations before it can be accepted and passed into law," Sophan Sophiaan from the PDI faction said.

Sophan pointed at the bill's article which states that private television stations may broadcast straight news only after they obtain special government permits. Currently, private television and radio stations have to relay the state-owned radio and television stations' news. In practice, however, all of the stations produce their own news broadcasts, in addition to the relay.

"This article will destroy people's creativity," he said.

He quoted Article 28 of the 1945 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression. "To broadcast is the people's right," he said.

The minority party proposed that the article be withdrawn from the bill.

PPP's legislator, Endang Zainal Abidin, seconded PDI and said the stipulation for broadcasting permission only hampers the true mission of broadcast stations, namely to disseminate information.

He said the article only serves to show how the government is trying to control the media.

The ABRI and Golkar factions, however, endorsed articles which will give the government more control over broadcasting stations.

"Considering the importance of information in this age ... the ABRI faction agrees that broadcasting institutions should be dominated by the state," Toni Sugiarto said.

Golkar's spokesperson, Rachman Arge, proposed a public agency to control all broadcasting stations. (01)