Indonesian Broadcasting Comission: a new Formation

The broadcasting industry is one of the fast-growing industry in Indonesia. Believe it or not, presently there are more than 50 TV stations, national and local, and hundreds of radio stations through out the nation. Although oftentimes the public expresses concerns over the quality of programs being offered, mostly by national TV stations, the industry is persistently growing, with few mergers here an there.

As an influential industry, one that can create public awareness, drive perceptions, and propose actions, the broadcasting industry, as many other industries, needs a set of rules. Here comes the Broadcasting Law No. 32/2002 and thus the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI), responsible to make, implement, and sanction regulations to the broadcasting industry, TV and radio stations.

Some might say that in the last three years, the Commission has done little, even failed, to change the industry to favor the general public interests -- that is for stations to provide other than violence, pornography, and supernatural programs. While advocators feel that the public should have faith in the Commission -- as it is not its fault that other government institution is trying hard to take away its authority.

Well, last Monday to Thursday, the Communication Commission of the House of Representatives has conducted fit and proper tests on 36 candidates for the new members of the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission. The result is a new 9-member-formation announced yesterday.

Congratulations to M. Izzul Muslimin, Fetty Fajriati, S. Sinansari ecip, Bimo Nugroho Sekundatmo, Selamun Yoanes Bosko, M. Riyanto, Sasa Djuarsa Sendjaja, Amar Ahmad and Yazirwan Uyun as the new members, and be prepared as difficult tasks awaiting.

Notice that the new formation consist of names from the industry, which was never been a part of the previous members’. Hopefully with industry representatives, the Commission is now equipped with experienced know-how and, at the same time, gained industry’s support.

For me, if it’s damn hard to drive the industry into the right direction, why not prepare the public for the journey. Media literacy has always been an effective way to equipped the public that the control is actually in their hand. Let the public choose what to see and listen, and what’s not.