New broadcast law promote decentralization: Supporters
New broadcast law promote decentralization: Supporters
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The broadcasting bill, rejected by private televisions stations,
has been hailed by the community broadcast network and media
observers, contending it will help promote decentralization of
information dissemination.
Ali Pangestu of the Indonesian Community Radios Network (JRKI)
said the new broadcasting bill would encourage the formation of
more community-based broadcasting stations.
"The positive impact of that bill is that the people will
enjoy alternative information from the community broadcasting
stations."
He noted that the existing national TV stations tended to be
centralistic in their news programs, reporting mostly events in
Jakarta. Many of them were not event relevant for people outside
Jakarta.
Bimo Nugroho of the Institute for Free-flow of Information
(ISAI) concurred, saying the bill will end the practice of
centralistic broadcast system.
"The rejection from private television stations is because
they consider the stipulation will only create material losses to
them," Bimo said.
Executive director of the Indonesian Media Law and Policy
Center (IMLPC) Hinca Pandjaitan also supported the endorsement of
the bill.
According to Hinca, the pros and cons over the endorsement of
the bill was unavoidable because it would try to regulate the
industry which was already flourishing. And this industry would
not want to be curtailed.
"Whether we like it or not, the bill should be endorsed. All
critics can give input for its revision in the future," Hinca
said.
The House of Representatives endorsed on Thursday the
broadcasting bill amidst opposition from private television
stations.
Broadcast media people opposed the bill on the grounds it
would create uncertainty in the broadcasting industry as well as
limit their operations.
Under the bill, all television stations will not be allowed to
have nationwide broadcasting. If stations insist on nationwide
coverage, they must cooperate with local partners to form a
network broadcast.
If television operators are unwilling to make a network with
local broadcasters, then they have to stop local transmissions.
Besides the broadcasters, some media activists have also
voiced their rejection of the bill, which they said gave too much
power to the government and this could violate the people's right
to information.
Nevertheless, supporters like Ali and Bimo contend that the
rejection by broadcasters as well as other media organizations
were more driven by their own interests of protecting their
businesses, at the expense of the people.
Ali said the existing private television stations should give
a chance for the bill to be implemented and when, in the future,
they find something wrong with the bill, they can demand
revisions.
At least, Ali said, the new bill would create order in the
broadcasting business, and also ensure that broadcasters would
not dictate the public with their programs of pornography,
violence and sadism.
All those programs would be screened by the Indonesian
Broadcasting Commission (KPI), which is mandated by the new
broadcasting bill.
Under the bill, KPI will determine standards of broadcasting
programs to be aired on television and radio stations.
All programs must respect religious teachings, morality, limit
sexuality, sadism, violence as well as protect children,
teenagers, and women.
The television station must also inform the public that
certain programs are allowed for all ages and others are not.