Private radios to go on strike against broadcasting law
The Jakarta Post Jakarta/Cirebon
All private radio stations have planned to stop airing for at least one day in a protest against the enaction of a new broadcasting law.
The protest will simultaneously involve all radio stations grouped in the Association of Indonesian National Private Radio (PRSSNI) throughout the country, the association's Riau branch secretary Kristiyanto told Antara on Tuesday.
"All PRSSNI members have agreed not to broadcast for one full day to protest the existence of the broadcasting law," he said in the industrial island of Batam, Riau.
He said his association claimed that the law curbs the freedom of radio broadcasting in Indonesia. He did not elaborate further.
Kristiyanto declined to mention when the private radio stations in question would stage a protest, saying it was still "secrete".
"We can not disclose the timetable of the protest, but all the association's members opposed to the broadcasting law will join in," said Kristiyanto, who is also director of PT Radio Kencana RIS in Batam.
The secretary of Riau's PRSSNI, which comprises 20 members, also urged the local authorities to take action against radio stations operating without the required broadcasting licenses in the province.
"We want relevant agencies to straighten out and take action to the owners of illegal radio stations," he said.
According to Antara, some illegal radio networks have operated with support of officials at the Batam administration.
Kristiyanto did not mention the number of radio stations operating illegally in the province.
In Riau Islands alone, he said there were at least 10 private radio stations airing without operational permits, including five in Tanjungpinang, two in Batam and three in Karimun.
"PRSSNI faces difficulties in organizing an operation against the illegal radio networks as it should involve a number of officials from relevant agencies, such as the local police and transportation office," Kristiyanto said.
However, he insisted that his association will continue to strive for an operation against the lawful radio stations.
Meanwhile in the West Java city of Cirebon, the local administration has finally closed a private radio station called Nuansa FM for failing to show their licenses.
It also closed the illegal Nuansa Cafe which was housed in the same building as the closed radio on Jl. Dr Ciptomangunkusumo, Cirebon.
The Cirebon authorities claimed the luxury structure has no building establishment permit.
The closure forced at least 70 employees of the two firms, which was established one month ago, to lose their jobs. They were paid in line with the minimum basic wage of Rp 314,000 per month.
The owner of the radio and the cafe, Agus Hartono, denied that his two companies operated illegally, saying he was still arranging licenses for his two companies.
"The permits are still being processed. We are disappointed with the closures because it was done without notifying us first," Agus complained.