House delays decision on broadcasting bill after fierce debate
House delays decision on broadcasting bill after fierce debate
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
A special committee of the House of Representatives was unable to
complete its debate of the broadcasting bill on Tuesday because
of disagreements over a number of issues in the bill.
As a result, the committee will require two more days to
complete its work. This delay, however, will not affect the
bill's scheduled date of endorsement, which is Nov. 25.
The first disagreement revolved around the transitional period
to be given to television stations to adjust to regulations that
will be issued to enforce the new bill.
Some legislators want the government to provide the stations
with a three-year transitional period, while others are pushing
for five years.
Noer Namri Noor of the United Development Party (PPP) and
Soeharsojo of the Golkar Party said television stations should be
given up to five years to adjust to the regulations because they
had business contracts that would have to be reviewed.
But Djoko Susilo of the National Mandate Party (PAN) said
television stations had too often take advantage and benefited
from facilities provided by the government.
"If we give them more time, it will only benefit them," Djoko
said.
After a series of debates, the committee agreed to give
television stations a three-year transitional period and radio
stations two years.
There also was a tough debate over Article 59, Paragraph 3,
which says: "Broadcasting stations that were in existence before
this law was endorsed can have relay stations (3 or 5) if, from a
business perspective, they cannot build a local station."
The clause also states that all television stations must
convert their regional relay stations into permanent offices or
form business cooperations with local partners, or they will have
to halt their relay service.
State Minister for Communication and Information Syamsul
Muarif, representing the government at the meeting, proposed a
modification of the clause to allow broadcasting stations to have
relay stations in areas where they have networks.
But legislators rejected this suggestion, saying it could be
manipulated to avoid developing permanent offices in regional
areas or cooperating with local partners.
Bambang Sadono of Golkar suggested the article should require
television stations to cooperate with local stations in
broadcasting their programs.
"This article should encourage the development of locally
based television stations," Bambang said.
Due to the contentious debate over the issue, committee
chairman Paulus Widiyanto adjourned the discussion until
Thursday.