Politicians' greetings in media may be banned
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.