Stop Broadcasting Pornographic and Violent TV Programs
Thursday, 21 December, 2006 | 13:26 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) has asked that all television stations stop broadcasting TV programs with pornographic and violent content starting January 1, 2007.

“If a station still violates this, we will make an official report to the police,” said Ade Armando, KPI Chairman, after discussion of enforcement of the Broadcasting Law with the National Police (Polri) and television industry leaders at KPI’s head office, Jakarta, on Tuesday night (19/12).

According to Ade, already eight TV stations which were reported for broadcasting pornographic and violent TV shows.

Based on these reports, the police were already in fact able to take legal action.

“However, we asked the police not to take action,” said Ade.

KPI gave a decree of tolerance so that station managements can make improvements.

“But in January, there will be no compromise.”
There is the possibility that in enforcing the broadcasting law, there could be a TV station which ends up being sacrificed.

“Prosecute one TV station that violates the law and this will intimidate other stations,” said Ade.

This strict approach is to ensure that TV stations do not violate the law.

The measurements of pornography and violence, Ade acknowledged, are actually subjective.

KPI will monitor scenes in any TV program that has been reported by a member of the general public.

Chief Comm. Jhony Tangkudung, Main Investigator of Directorate V of Special Criminal Acts at Polri HQ, said he supported the KPI's attitude.

Up until the end of December, the police will not take any action.

Reports that have been received will be temporarily set aside.

“We give time to KPI to carry out socialization,” he said.

The eight TV stations that KPI has reported to the police are Lativi, TPI, Trans TV, Indosiar, ANTV, SCTV, TV7 and RCTI.

TV station managements that still violate the law could face a maximum of five years’ imprisonment and/or a maximum fine of Rp10 billion.

Hardijanto Saroso, Corporate Secretary of PT Surya Citra Televisi (SCTV), supports KPI's strict measure.

However, he asked that any legal actions were uniform, so, if one TV station was sanctioned, other stations that broadcast similar programs must also sanctioned.

“Irrespectively,” he said.

Wahyudin Fahmi and Pramono