House criticizes broadcasting bill

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The minority party proposed that the article be withdrawn from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)