Rules on broadcasting tightened

Rules on broadcasting tightened

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Information Harmoko disclosed yesterday that the government plans to limit the number of private radio stations in each region.

Opening the 8th national conference of the Association of Indonesian private radio broadcasting (PRSSNI), Harmoko said his ministry is now studying the ideal number of radio stations each region should be allowed to have.

"Like what has been done with print and television media, the government will limit the number of radio broadcasters," he told the four-day conference at the Radisson Hotel.

Meanwhile, PRSSNI's Chairperson Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana said in the absence of any official restrictions, too many radio stations are now jostling for space on the air waves in some big cities like Jakarta.

There are currently 662 radio stations in Indonesia, of which 223 are broadcasting on the FM wave. Jakarta alone is host to more than 50 private radio stations.

Radio stations are not only facing stiff competition for ads revenue among themselves, they have to deal with commercial television stations which have been aggressive in tapping advertising spending.

Siti Hardiyanti yesterday urged government to regulate the distribution of advertisement among the media.

A radio executive who requested anonymity said that the stiff competition has led to discount wars in advertising rates among radio stations, some bringing down their rates by 50 percent. (01)