KPI warns govt over transmission cuts
KPI warns govt over transmission cuts
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) has criticized the
government for ordering all broadcasting stations to cut their
on-air time in relation to its campaign to conserve energy,
although they say they understand the government's objectives.
KPI deputy Sinansari Encip said on Monday that such an
instruction could be viewed as an effort to meddle in the
country's independent broadcasting industry.
"We completely understand and support the government's
intention to launch programs aimed at conserving energy. But we
feel that the government has no authority at all in ordering
broadcasting stations to cut transmission times," he was quoted
as saying by detik.com.
Encip said the government should be aware that the country's
broadcasting industry has made basic changes regarding the
government's role and authority since the enactment of Law No.
32/2002 on broadcasting.
"In the past, under the information ministry, the government
was authorized to give an instruction and intervene in
broadcasting stations. Nowadays, no such authority exists," said
Encip.
In an effort to conserve energy and prevent shortages of fuel
nationwide, the government has ordered all television and radio
stations to stop transmission between 1 a.m and 5 a.m.
Currently, many TV and radio stations operate 24 hours a day.
Encip however said while KPI understood the reasons and
objectives behind the instruction, the government was not
permitted to restrict the public's right to information.
"The KPI needs to remind the government to be cautious in
order to prevent accusations that it is overstepping its
authority, especially in reference to the broadcasting law," he
said.
Encip said the government could involve broadcasting stations
in its energy-saving campaign at a more generic level to
cooperate in reducing energy consumption.
"It can be done through reducing transmission times, if the
stations choose to, or by broadcasting advertisements to educate
the public on energy conservation," he explained.