'TVRI' broadcasts advertisements

JAKARTA: The government will soon issue a decree altering the legal status of television station TVRI from a state-run, non- profit company into a profit-oriented state-owned company, giving it the right to earn income from advertising.

"It is hoped that the decree will come out in the next two weeks," Minister for Communications and Information Syamsul Mu'arif told a hearing at the House of Representatives here on Wednesday.

Currently, TVRI is not allowed to broadcast ads, depriving it of hundreds of billions of rupiah in revenue. Its operation costs, estimated at Rp 800 billion per year, has been financed by the government through the State Budget.

TVRI currently employs 6,800 people and operates 295 transmitters across the country. -- JP