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