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.