RRI cooperates with 'Radio Australia'

SANUR, Bali: State-owned radio station RRI signed here on Friday a cooperation agreement with Radio Australia. Under the agreement, Indonesian audiences will have access to the daily broadcast of Radio Australia's regional current affairs program, Asia Pacific, scheduled to be aired from 1.30 p.m to 2 p.m. Jakarta time.

"I am very delighted to be able to cooperate with RRI. This is a breakthrough in media relations between Australia and Indonesia," said Radio Australia head Jean Gabriel Manguy.

He said the agreement, effective on Sept. 1, highlighted the new openness in Indonesia toward the international media.

"Until recent years, international broadcasters have faced significant barriers in reaching Indonesian audiences. The new agreement will open a new era between Indonesia's and Australia's public broadcasters," Manguy asserted.

Radio Australia has been broadcasting for over 60 years in Indonesia since 1942.

"We have signed agreements with several private stations in Indonesia, but the deal with RRI is very significant," Manguy said.

RRI program director Gun Sukmagunadi said the agreement would enable the station's staff to improve their skills. "RRI is now in the transition stage of becoming a public broadcaster. We have to reorganize our institution and allow for any improvements and changes," he added. --JP