Network Broadcasting System is an Obligation, Expert Says

The Work Committee of Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR) continued to discuss revising Law No. 32 of 2002 on Broadcasting (Broadcasting Law). TV and communication experts were invited to speak and share their thoughts about the revision.

Ade Armando, a media expert from Unversitas Indonesia (UI), suggested that the revision should vitalize and strengthen the network TV system in Indonesia. “Without a networking obligation, the television industry outside of Java will go bust,” he said at the meeting, Thursday (26/1).

He criticized national TV stations that seem reluctant to implement network systems. National television stations such as TV One, RCTI, SCTV, Trans TV, Trans 7 and others, did not build local television stations for their networks. “They only built transmission towers,” he said.

Ade explained that networking systems are a familiar topic in Indonesian broadcasting history. Televisi Republik Indonesia (TVRI), for example, implemented a networking system years ago. “That is why we can find TVRI of West Java, TVRI of East Java, and TVRI of Sumatera,” he explained.

Implementation of network television systems, Ade said, will revitalize the televison industry in local areas. “Job vacancies will be available. There will be production houses, advertising agencies and others. Currently, broadcasting students in Jakarta are unwilling to go back to their hometowns, because TV stations are only located in Jakarta,” he added.

Network TV stations, such as Java TV (JTV) and Bali TV, are currently growing in some regions. But if the Broadcasting Law revision does not protect them, they will have a difficult time making improvements, due to competition with national TV. “National TV will get all the ads,” he said.

For example, RCTI received IDR 4 trillion revenue in 2009 from ads alone. On the other hand, JTV only received IDR 40 billion and Bali TV IDR 37 billion. “It will be hard for them to compete,” he stated.

The revision, Ade asserted, should order national TV stations to establish local networks, not just build transmission towers. However, national TV stations can choose between establishing a new local station or affiliate with existing local television stations.

Ishadi Sk, Transcorp Commissioner, argued that national TV stations are not reluctant to establish local stations or affiliate with local TV stations, as long as the region can support the local station.

“It is impossible for us to subsidize local TV. From a business point of view, local TV will grow. We can make it, but we have to be patient,” he explained.

Nevertheless, Ishadi said that his company will obey the provisions in the Broadcasting Law revision, including provisions on networking systems. “We have flaws and weaknesses, but we will fulfill our obligations,” he said.

The Broadcasting Law already regulates networking systems. Article 31 (2) and (3) of the Broadcasting Law states that Public and/or Private Broadcasting Agencies can conduct broadcasting activities through networking station systems for a limited area. However, this is not requirement under the Broadcasting Law.

(Ali Salmande / Mahinda Arkyasa)