'TVRI' broadcasts advertisements

'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