Private TV stations flout standards: KPI
Private TV stations flout standards: KPI
Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Almost all private sector broadcasters in the country are failing
to comply with the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI)'s
standards, which entered into effect late in August.
This failure was marked by "programs that are unethical, not
in line with professional journalistic standards, and prejudicial
to children, teenagers and women", the commission said on
Wednesday.
"Based on our monitoring and input received from the public,
the commission has concluded that nearly all national private
sector broadcasters have yet to show a commitment to implementing
the standards. Violations of the standards occur every day," KPI
member Ade Armando told a press conference in his office.
KPI deputy chairman Bimo Nugroho Sekundatmo and KPI member
Amelia Hezkasari Day were also present.
Over the past month the commission has been assessing the
compliance level of TV channels, and has received over 200
complaints from individuals, religious groups and social groups
about various television programs.
Most of the complaints, the commission said, related to
programs that dwelled on violence, domestic conflict, rape,
eroticism, mysticism and horror, and the exploitation of women's
sexuality.
According to the commission, the stations also often show
programs suitable only for particular age groups at inappropriate
times.
"Many programs for adults are aired in the day time or
afternoon, enabling children and teenagers to watch these shows,"
said Ade.
Broadcasters also often ignore "the basic principles of
professional broadcasting journalism" through such things as
failing to blur the faces of arrested crime suspects or
prostitutes, and explicitly reconstructing rapes and sadistic
murders.
The KPI standards ban television stations from airing footage
of the act of kissing based on sexual desire, sexual intercourse
and sensual acts, explicit violence and complete crime
reconstructions.
It permits television broadcasters to air programs for adults
only after 10 p.m.
"We would call on all national and local television stations
to comply with the broadcasting standards," Bimo said.
Up until the end of December, the commission would not take
any action against offenders as the television channels were being
given a grace period to allow them to familiarize themselves with
the standards.
"Starting from January 1, we hope to start enforcing the
standards," Bimo said.
There are 11 television broadcasters operating in Indonesia,
including state broadcaster TVRI.
Under the Broadcasting Law, the commission has the authority
to impose sanctions against offending television stations, and
these range from issuing warnings to the revocation of
broadcasting licenses.
People are encouraged to file complaints with the commission,
which now has 15 offices around the country, in respect of
offensive television and radio programs. This may be done by mail
to the KPI head office at the following address: Umawar Building
5th floor, Jl. Kapten Tendean 28, South Jakarta, or PO BOX KPI
JKTM 12700.
Complainants may also call (021) 522 3218 or 522 3217, or send a
fax to (021) 522 3219 or an e-mail to komisipenyiaran@cbn.net.id.
The commission promises to address each complaint and to
respond to each complainant within 14 days.