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)