KPI flooded with protests about 'biased' programs
KPI flooded with protests about 'biased' programs
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, Jakarta
The Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) has received an
increasing number of complaints against television stations for
running programs that allegedly favor particular candidates
contesting the upcoming presidential election.
KPI member Ade Armando said on Friday the most recent
complaint was filed against state-funded TVRI for broadcasting
news allegedly favoring a particular candidate.
"We recently received a protest alleging that TVRI focused its
news on one presidential candidate. We will have to look into the
complaint," Ade told The Jakarta Post on Friday.
He did not say who the candidate was or which organization had
filed the complaint.
Five presidential candidates are contesting the country's
first direct presidential election on July 5. They are retired
generals Wiranto and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the incumbent
Megawati Soekarnoputri, Amien Rais, and Hamzah Haz.
Ade said his commission would monitor TVRI news to determine
whether or not the complaint was valid.
TVRI news director Nunuk Parwati said on Friday that her
office had not received any complaints from either the KPI or the
public so far.
"We refer to the General Elections Commission (KPU) regulation
on campaigning, which says that the substance of news
broadcasting depends on the news judgment of each editorial
department," said Nunuk, adding that events were broadcast based
on their newsworthiness.
She said TVRI was also affording an equal opportunity to all
five presidential candidates to set out their manifestos.
"Each candidate has been given four such opportunities," Nunuk
said.
TVRI is not the first station to receive such complaints from
the public. The KPI carried out investigations into Metro TV and
Trans TV last week.
KPI chairman Victor Menayang said rumors were circulating that
Metro TV received payments amounting to billions of rupiah to
host a daily, 30-minute program, Indonesia on the move.
"There are indications that it (Indonesia in the move) is a
paid-for program favoring the Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle (PDI-P) candidate," Victor said.
He said should the allegation prove to be right Metro TV could
face criminal charges for violating Article 46 of Law No.32/2002
on broadcasting, which carries a maximum fine of up to
Rp 2 billion (US$222,000).
However, the TV station replied to KPI's protest letter,
saying that it was Metro TV's own program and it was not unusual
for the incumbent to have greater coverage on TV programs.
Another protest was filed against Trans TV for allegedly
offering programs to block airtime for particular campaigns.
The station brushed aside the accusation.
KPI is now planning to work with the National Police to
investigate the Metro TV case for possible criminal charges.
"We do not have the authority to investigate and need the
police to look into it," said Ade.