The amendments to the Broadcasting Law No. 32 Year 2002 are seen to be a backlash to the broadcasting democracy process. This emerged in a press conference on Wednesday (28/12) at the UGM Main Office.
“This year we see the 14th anniversary of Broadcasting Law No.32, but it turned out to be disappointing. The initiative to amend the Law has been a serious backlash to the Law of Year 2002,” said Rahayu, M.Si., M.A., Communication lecturer of UGM.
The member of the National Coalition for Broadcasting Reforms (KNRP) said a number of aspects of the Law No. 32 Year 2002 are relatively democratic, which are observable in the five key points: the birth of independent regulators, appointment of RRI and TVRI as broadcasting institutions, broadcasting and ownership limitation of private institutions, and network broadcasting system for private institutions.
“Law No. 32 Year 2002 is actually relatively democratic. Though not all is fully democratic, but it is indeed more democratic than the August revision,” she said.
Rahayu explained there was strong impression that the Legislative body (DPR) had intentionally amend several articles in the Law for the interests of big broadcasting institutions which ignore the public interests. Therefore, along with over 160 academics joining the KNRP, she fought for the revision of the Law by the Government.
“The essence is that the revision negates the local community, so we will fight for this to be revised,” said Rahayu.
The KNRP is concerned that there is no regulation on ownership which is feared to strengthen the monopoly of television and radio stations, regulation on Network System that will eternalise the centralised television broadcasting in Jakarta, and sensor duties for all contents that are actually contradictory to the Press Law. Other concerns are on the advert shares which are increased from 20% to 40% as well as the permission to tobacco adverts. These are all seen as disturbing the public comfort whilst taking side with investors.
Communication and media observer of UGM, Wisnu Martha Adiputra, S.I.P., M.Si., explained his research with fellow lecturers from Communication Studies Programme on regulation, technology, industry, and community of broadcasting. He said the government has not paid enough attention to the broadcasting quality.
“The spirit to control is higher than to facilitate broadcasting. Currently, it is very hard to find a good television show, and this is not given enough attention by the government,” he said.
On the future of broadcasting, he emphasised on the importance to make good quality contents and this is seen as a solution to regain the public attention that has turned away from conventional media such as television.
“There has been a reduced interest among TV audience due to the poor quality of contents. In this era with extraordinary content competition, good quality contents can be the one to stick to (to regain interest),” he said.