Television association against broadcast bill
Television association against broadcast bill
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Television Broadcasting
Association (ATVSI) dismissed on Thursday the draft broadcast
bill being deliberated by the House of Representatives, saying it
defied the spirit of reform and restricted press freedom.
"We have given our suggestions to the House of Representatives
special committee deliberating the bill, but thus far none of our
ideas have been included in the bill," ATVSI chairman Anton A.
Nangoy of ANTeve said during a media conference.
Also present at the media conference were Soeastomo Soepardji
of Indosiar, who is also ATVSI's secretary-general, and Karni
Ilyas and Albert Kuhon of SCTV.
ATVSI groups the country's seven television stations -- TVRI,
RCTI, Indosiar, ANTeve, SCTV, TPI and Metro TV.
Anton said the bill would burden broadcast stations with too
many responsibilities and threatened them with punishments that
were too severe, ranging from fines to jail sentences.
Karni cited as an example Article 25, Paragraph 5, which bans
slanderous, provocative and/or deceitful content, content that
underscores violence, obscenity, gambling and narcotics, and any
content that could incite ethnic, religious and racial conflict.
"If the House approves the bill, I am afraid that covering the
ethnic clashes in Sampit, Central Kalimantan, or sectarian riots
in Maluku would be considered a crime," Karni said.
Violations of the article carry a maximum sentence of five
years in jail and a Rp 20 billion (US$21 million) fine.
"These sanctions are even heavier than the punishments
stipulated in the Criminal Code," Karni said.
Article 40 of the bill lays out administrative sanctions,
which include revocation of broadcast licenses.
Anton said that while the association could accept the
existence of the Indonesian Broadcast Commission (KPI), an
independent supervisory and advisory body, ATVSI suggested the
power of KPI be reduced.
Article 8 of the draft bill stipulates that KPI has the
authority to recommend a broadcast station for a license, impose
sanctions in case of violations and establish a code of conduct
for the broadcast community.
"We do not yet know who will be named to the commission. But
with its vast authority, I think we are in the process of
creating a new ministry of information like the one that existed
during the New Order.
"Sanctions should be imposed only after hearing the defense of
an errant broadcast station or after a court ruling has been
issued," Anton said.
In an effort to avoid the monopolization of technology and
capital, the bill prohibits the cross-ownership of media
enterprises, so an individual cannot own various mass media.
Metro TV and Media Indonesia daily general manager Surya Paloh
viewed the restrictions as a major setback.
"We are talking about new information technology in the global
era, in which efficiency of market and capital should top the
priority list.
"I do not see the centralization of technology and capital
creating a conglomeration since mass media enterprises in the
country belong to a handful of people," Surya said in a dialog
broadcast by SCTV.
Despite his criticism of the broadcast bill, Anton said he
expected to meet with the House special committee for
discussions.
"I believe the House members will spare us some time and
listen to us one more time before approving the bill," Anton
said. (02)
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Television Broadcasting
Association (ATVSI) dismissed on Thursday the draft broadcast
bill being deliberated by the House of Representatives, saying it
defied the spirit of reform and restricted press freedom.
"We have given our suggestions to the House of Representatives
special committee deliberating the bill, but thus far none of our
ideas have been included in the bill," ATVSI chairman Anton A.
Nangoy of ANTeve said during a media conference.
Also present at the media conference were Soeastomo Soepardji
of Indosiar, who is also ATVSI's secretary-general, and Karni
Ilyas and Albert Kuhon of SCTV.
ATVSI groups the country's seven television stations -- TVRI,
RCTI, Indosiar, ANTeve, SCTV, TPI and Metro TV.
Anton said the bill would burden broadcast stations with too
many responsibilities and threatened them with punishments that
were too severe, ranging from fines to jail sentences.
Karni cited as an example Article 25, Paragraph 5, which bans
slanderous, provocative and/or deceitful content, content that
underscores violence, obscenity, gambling and narcotics, and any
content that could incite ethnic, religious and racial conflict.
"If the House approves the bill, I am afraid that covering the
ethnic clashes in Sampit, Central Kalimantan, or sectarian riots
in Maluku would be considered a crime," Karni said.
Violations of the article carry a maximum sentence of five
years in jail and a Rp 20 billion (US$21 million) fine.
"These sanctions are even heavier than the punishments
stipulated in the Criminal Code," Karni said.
Article 40 of the bill lays out administrative sanctions,
which include revocation of broadcast licenses.
Anton said that while the association could accept the
existence of the Indonesian Broadcast Commission (KPI), an
independent supervisory and advisory body, ATVSI suggested the
power of KPI be reduced.
Article 8 of the draft bill stipulates that KPI has the
authority to recommend a broadcast station for a license, impose
sanctions in case of violations and establish a code of conduct
for the broadcast community.
"We do not yet know who will be named to the commission. But
with its vast authority, I think we are in the process of
creating a new ministry of information like the one that existed
during the New Order.
"Sanctions should be imposed only after hearing the defense of
an errant broadcast station or after a court ruling has been
issued," Anton said.
In an effort to avoid the monopolization of technology and
capital, the bill prohibits the cross-ownership of media
enterprises, so an individual cannot own various mass media.
Metro TV and Media Indonesia daily general manager Surya Paloh
viewed the restrictions as a major setback.
"We are talking about new information technology in the global
era, in which efficiency of market and capital should top the
priority list.
"I do not see the centralization of technology and capital
creating a conglomeration since mass media enterprises in the
country belong to a handful of people," Surya said in a dialog
broadcast by SCTV.
Despite his criticism of the broadcast bill, Anton said he
expected to meet with the House special committee for
discussions.
"I believe the House members will spare us some time and
listen to us one more time before approving the bill," Anton
said. (02)