Private TV stations want less state intervention

Private TV stations want less state intervention

JAKARTA (JP): The owners of private television stations called
on the House of Representatives yesterday to review the
broadcasting law enacted last year in order to minimize state
interference in their operations.

Andi Rallie Siregar, president of PT Rajawali Citra Televisi
Indonesia which operates RCTI, told a hearing with House
Commission I on information that the current law gave the
government too much power to regulate commercial stations.

The law was not consistent with the current "reformation era"
which demanded more freedom and creativity from the electronic
media, Rallie said.

He underscored the need for TV stations to perform their
social control function, which he said included criticizing the
government.

He said clearer guidelines were necessary so that TV stations
would not be accused of breaching the broadcasting law.

"Private stations will perform this function based on their
realization that in a democracy the government must be subject to
checks and balances," he said.

An example of government intervention was given by SCTV
president director Agus Mulyanto who cited the occasion last
month when he had to suspend the anchor and producers of the
Liputan 6 news program at the instigation of the government.

Agus explained that the station had to suspend Ira Kusno, the
presenter of the program, after her May 18 live interview with
Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, a former environment minister.

In the program, Sarwono likened the Indonesian crisis to a
toothache, and said the only cure was to remove the bad tooth.

Agus said Sarwono departed from the previously agreed content
of the interview, according to Antara.

Following the interview, SCTV received protests from
government officials who also put pressure on the proprietors of
the station. Some went as far as to threaten to close down the
program.

SCTV suspended the staff involved in order to ensure the
program's continuation, Agus said, adding however that the
suspension lasted only a week and all concerned had since
returned to work.

Agus and Rallie led a delegation of private TV broadcasters
which also included representatives from Indosiar, ANtv, and TPI.

Representatives from private radio stations turned up, but
conspicuously missing was Siti Hardijanti Rukmana, the chairwoman
of the Association of Private Radio Stations.

The absence the eldest daughter of former president Soeharto
was not lost on the commission members.

Usyam Hisam of United Development Party faction considered her
decision to snub the commission's invitation an affront to the
House of Representatives.

"We are disappointed by her absence. Even Armed Forces
Commander Gen. Wiranto always made the effort to turn up, in
spite of his busy schedule, each time we invited him to come,"
Usyam said.

Rallie said all commercial stations were currently under
strong financial pressures because of declining advertising
revenues, now a mere 30 percent to 40 percent of their precrisis
levels.

The stations had reduced their daily broadcasting hours to
stay afloat, and unless the situation improved soon, some would
even have to consider reducing the number of days they broadcast.

"We don't even know whether we can remain on air next year,"
he said. "We're practically counting our days," he added.
(rms/emb)