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.
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