Radio, television stations urged to protect copyrights
Radio, television stations urged to protect copyrights
JAKARTA (JP): The dominant political organization Golkar yesterday appealed to all radio and television stations to join in the government's campaign to enhance copyright protection for music works.
Ais Anantama Said, head of Golkar's Department of Art and Culture, said radio and television stations should refrain from airing songs that are believed to be pirated works of foreign artists.
"Copyright protection should not be limited to films only. Songs should also be protected," Ais told Antara yesterday after the opening ceremony of a leadership training program for some 400 artists associated with the ruling organization.
Attended by film and television artists, singers, songwriters and comedians, the three-day course at Golkar headquarters was opened by chairman Harmoko.
Ais cited the example of the popular jingle Olee .. Olee which has now been widely copied by locals, either partly or in its entirety.
A number of artists have even created dangdut versions, he said referring to a local style of popular music.
The jingle is also widely used by television stations to accompany their soccer programs.
The practice, even if only a bar or two is stolen, is a copyright violation and a criminal offense, he said.
The practice of copying popular foreign works also reflects a lack of creativity, he added.
"I'm saddened every time I see or hear pirated songs being aired on television or radio," he said.
He noted that the government is serious in its campaign to end copyright violations with Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono calling on the courts to mete out stiffer penalties for the culprits.
Responding to Ais' appeal, Jimmy Tingon of Sonora, a private Jakarta radio station, said he is very selective when choosing Indonesian songs to be aired.
Sonora allocates about 45 minutes each day for Indonesian songs and pirated works are regularly excluded.
"It's embarrassing and sickening," Jimmy said of the pirated works. "It's simply a lack of creativity." (emb)