KPI wants authority to issue broadcasting licenses

KPI wants authority to issue broadcasting licenses

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) submitted to the
government on Friday a proposal that would make the commission
the sole authority mandated to issue broadcasting licenses.

KPI deputy chairman Sinansari Ecip said he hoped President
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono would adopt the draft ancillary
regulation needed to support the Broadcasting Law.

"One important aspect of this draft is a stipulation that the
KPI is the sole authority permitted to issue broadcasting
licenses," Sinansari told a media briefing here on Friday.

The proposed regulation was meant to counter a similar draft
issued earlier by the government, under which the government
would have the sole authority to issue broadcasting licenses.

Broadcasting Law No. 32/2002, which mandates KPI's
establishment only states that the state has the authority to
issue broadcasting licenses.

Currently, broadcasting licenses are issued by the Ministry of
Communications, which also regulates radio frequencies.

The debate over who has the authority to issue broadcasting
licenses started during the presidency of Megawati Soekarnoputri,
with both the government and the KPI sticking to their own
positions.

Sinansari said the KPI would ask the Supreme Court for a
judicial review should the government stick to its previous
stance.

Leo Batubara from the Indonesian Press and Broadcasting
Society (MPPI) threw his support behind the KPI and expressed the
hope that President Susilo would adopt the draft submitted by the
commission.

Leo said the broadcasting community has been waiting for the
issuance of ancillary government regulations as stipulated in the
Broadcasting Law.

"If the authority to issue broadcasting licenses is given to
the government, it may be abused," Leo said.

According to Leo, the authority should be given to the KPI
because the public could control the body through the House of
Representatives.

Aside from broadcasting licenses, the draft regulations
prepared by the KPI also include stipulations on penalties and
ownership.

"Our draft is simpler than that of the past government,"
Sinansari said, referring to seven drafts prepared by the
government.

Fellow KPI member Bimo Nugroho said that he hoped the public
would assess the draft and submit their opinions to the
government as input.

Comparison of KPI draft and government draft

Issues KPI Government

KPI Position Independent Govt instrument

Issuance of KPI Minister
License

Position of Independent Govt instrument
Public
broadcasters

Source: KPI