iNews Penalised by KPI Over Abu Janda Remarks
Jakarta — Indonesia’s Central Broadcasting Commission (KPI) has imposed an administrative sanction of a written warning on the “Rakyat Bersuara” programme from iNews broadcaster. The broadcast, aired on 10 March 2026, contained inappropriate language from one of the commentators known as Permadi Arya or Abu Janda.
“In principle, discussion and debate are meant to provide knowledge and insight to the public. For this reason, the selection of commentators must also consider their academic capacity, behaviour and language appropriate for the public sphere,” said KPI Central Chair Ubaidillah in a statement received in Jakarta on Monday, 16 March 2026.
Detailing the sanction against iNews, KPI Central’s Content Monitoring Coordinator Tulus Santoso explained that the penalty was imposed following analysis of the broadcast and a clarification forum held with iNews TV on 13 March 2026. In KPI Central Decision No. 18 of 2026, the “Rakyat Bersuara” broadcast was found to violate articles in the Code of Broadcasting Conduct and Broadcasting Programme Standards (P3 & SPS).
According to Tulus, the articles violated by iNews TV include Articles 9 and 21 of the Broadcasting Code of Conduct (P3) 2012 and Articles 9 and 31 of the Broadcasting Programme Standards (SPS) 2012.
The P3 articles relate to standards of decency and propriety, as well as regulations governing programme classification based on age and maturity level for audiences. The SPS violations concern prohibitions on broadcasting content that encourages young people to view inappropriate behaviour as normal in everyday life in programmes classified for restricted audiences.
Tulus made this announcement when delivering the sanction decision to iNews TV online, attended in person by iNews TV’s Editorial Chief Aiman Witjaksono. In a letter dated 16 March 2026, the KPI also submitted copies of the decision to Commission I of the Indonesian Parliament, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, the Indonesian Advertising Council, the Association of Indonesian Advertising Companies and the Association of Indonesian Advertising Entrepreneurs.