Politicians' greetings in media may be banned
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Presidential candidates will no longer be able to convey their greetings to the public on various occasions via television after the newly formed Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) has completed its media campaign regulations. The ads may be perceived as disguised political campaigns.
Luckily for them, a few politicians made the best of the opportunities provided by the Idul Fitri, Christmas and New Year holidays.
The issue of greetings is one of five items to be controlled by the KPI ahead of the general elections and the presidential election, scheduled for April 5 and July 5 respectively. The regulation of political campaigns in the media is KPI's first crucial task, with time running short ahead of the elections.
Four other items that could be perceived as potential political campaigning are interactive dialog programs, commercial ads, running text and news reports.
It is not clear whether the president will be exempted from such rules. President Megawati Soekarnoputri, also a presidential aspirant from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has appeared on television several times, greeting the public on recent religious occasions, except for New Year.
National Mandate Party (PAN) presidential candidate Amien Rais and Golkar's Surya Paloh have also appeared in similar television ads.
"The KPI and KPU (the General Elections Commission) will discuss this matter in detail shortly," said KPI member Andrik Purwasito on Tuesday. The KPI has met with leaders of House of Representatives Commission I for media and information affairs.
Six of nine KPI personnel were present at the informal meeting. They were KPI chairman Victor Menayang, deputy chairman Sinansari Ecip and members Bimo Nugroho, Amelia Hezkasari, Andrik and Sasa Djuarsa.
Andrik stated that under future KPI rulings, media tycoon Surya Paloh could place ads on Metro TV, which he owns but is not allowed to intervene in the newsroom.
Victor, a communications expert from the University of Indonesia, said that the KPI would focus on realistic regulations. Media people have raised fears that the rulings on political campaigns in the media might tread on press freedom.
He added that his commission would not carry out regular inspections on radio or television stations because it was shortstaffed.
"We will only be able follow up complaints from the public," he said.
Legislator Effendy Choirie, meanwhile, called on President Megawati Soekarnoputri to inaugurate soon the nine KPI members.
He said the government had also to provide them with office accommodation.
"KPI must quickly produce regulations on media campaigns, otherwise the rich (presidential) candidates will launch television campaigns," said Effendy, deputy chairman of House Commission I.
The KPI's duties include formulating a code of conduct among broadcasting corporations, monitoring its implementation and handing down punishment to offenders.