Radio stations rush to cast off 'RRI' millstone

By Yogita Tahil Ramani

JAKARTA (JP): Like other Indonesian radio buffs, Dita used to have the same listening problem.

"I was listening to a song when suddenly, without warning, came that darned news broadcast," the 23-year-old journalist said.

"Alright fine. I know I am a journalist and (it's) my duty to listen to news. But 14 times a day? And then, what news? It's government-regulated.

"This means, no news."

Now, Dita and other millions of listeners nationwide have little to worry about.

On June 6, Minister of Information Muhammad Yunus, who used to be called Yunus Yosfiah, issued a series of new rulings on press and radio broadcasting as part of reform of the information sector.

Canceling a 1984 ruling enacted by his predecessor Harmoko, Yunus deregulated radio news broadcasting.

This will allow private stations to produce and manage their own news and cut the number of state-run RRI radio news broadcasts which they must relay from 14 to three; at 6 a.m., 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Private radio stations are also permitted to work with foreign stations without first seeking government permission.

There are 38 in Jakarta and more than 700 nationwide.

Ramaco is one radio station which is ready to produce its own news.

Station manager Ria Stephanie said that Ramaco replaced the RRI-broadcasts with in-house news productions from Tuesday, three days after the deregulation was announced.

"The news was announced June 6... we made immediate revisions to our in-house news production, Jurnal 30, at a board meeting Monday at 6:20 a.m.," Ria said.

In the meeting it was decided to exclude RRI broadcast from Jurnal 30.

"We went on air with the revisions Tuesday."

"Our news broadcasts comprise field reports by our own reporters and those taken from foreign agencies like AFP and Antara news agency... also from CNN."

The station broadcasts Jurnal 30 at 7 a.m. and updates the news in its second broadcast at 6 p.m.

Currently Ramaco, employing 38 staff, airs live World Cup broadcasts; a collaboration with PT Indonesian Satellite Corporation (Indosat) and local sports tabloid Go.

The tabloid's contribution includes correspondents reporting live from France.

"This way we do not take out too much, and we get full coverage, including the atmosphere before and after a game," Ria said.

Ramaco broadcasts consist of 15 percent news, 10 percent talk- shows and 65 percent music.

Trijaya FM director Indirwan Moeffreni said that despite the belief of news broadcasters and radio stations nationwide that change was inevitable, the deregulation was a pleasant surprise.

"It's freedom... something we have no intentions of misusing," Indirwan quickly added.

He added that they were preparing to air in-house news productions to replace the RRI radio news broadcasts.

"On June 15 it will come in three forms; the six-minute form, nine-minute form and the bulletin, which is the 14-minute form," Indirwan said.

"Other news will include market reports, national, regional, international, sports and economic reviews."

He added that their 10-person news department, established since the station's founding in 1990, was already looking for more news reporters.

"We are looking for five to 10 more," he said.

Currently there are seven reporters who report live and three editors-translators in addition to eight broadcasters who broadcast both music and news.

Airing from 6 a.m. to midnight, or sometimes 1 a.m., Trijaya FM broadcasts 15 percent news, 7 percent talk shows, 16 percent advertising and the rest music.

Kiss FM station manager Denny Salam said the station is planning to air what he calls "Newstertainment", following the station's sixth birthday on Aug. 16. It will feature national and world news, packaged and presented in an entertaining way.

"Why? Because we are a 90-percent music station."