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.