Radio station critical of govt gets closed down

Radio station critical of govt gets closed down

M. Aziz Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon

The Southeast Maluku regency administration has ordered the
closure of a radio station that often aired stories criticizing
the local authorities.

According to the order, Gelora Tavlul radio must stop
broadcasting because its business permit expired in 2003.

The order was issued on Dec. 13, or about a month after the
local administration rejected the radio management's request for
an extension of their business permit.

Backed by a number of local police officers, the so-called
Maluku Frequency Monitoring Team visited the radio station on
Thursday to execute the order, telling the station to close.

They said that the stories aired by the station had criticized
the administration's development and public service policies "too
often".

Joost F. Rettobjaan, the radio station's director, said that
the station was unable to extend the permit after it expired as
the local administration was virtually not functioning amid
security disturbances of the time.

"(But now) instead of approving our business permit, the
administration has told us to stop broadcasting. The business
permit has nothing to do with the broadcasting permit, so what is
it all about?" he asked.

The radio director suspected that the administration was
banning the station from broadcasting because of news stories
involving alleged misuse of regional budget funds.

"We will not back down despite the order. We will stay on
air," Joost said.

Gelora Tavlul Radio, which is affiliated with the Jakarta-
based 68h radio network, has no hidden political motive behind
the airing of news stories about corruption, he said.

"Media criticism is now nothing new (in this country). Why do
officials feel threatened?" Joost said.

Herman Adrian Koedoeboen, the regent of the Southeast Maluku
administration, could not be immediately reached for comment.

In Jakarta, Minister of Communications and Information Sofyan
Djalil said that the regional administration could not close
broadcasting stations without approval from the regional-arm of
the Indonesia Broadcasting Commission (KPI).

"Regional autonomy allows the local administration to demand
the closure of broadcast media, but they must get approval from
the local office of KPI," he said after attending a ceremony at
the Vice Presidential Palace.

KPI Maluku chapter head Fredy Melmambessy has said that the
order to close the radio station was illegal

"According to Law No. 32/2003 concerning broadcasting, it is
the KPI who decides on closing radio stations. They should tell
the KPI if they consider that the station has violated
regulations. It is only the KPI that is authorized to impose
sanctions," he said.

The KPI Maluku-chapter has ruled that the Gelora Tavlul radio
station can continue its broadcasting despite the order.