KPI Restricts Parties from Funding Broadcasting Companies

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) along with the Press Council will work with the Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) and the General Election Commission (KPU) to watch political campaign in mass media.

KPI's broadcasting unit coordinator Hardly Stefano Fenolono said the supervision will include funds coming to broadcasting from political parties.

"In the broadcasting code of conduct (P3) and broadcasting program standards (SPS), it is stipulated that broadcasters are prohibited from being financed by political figures," he said in Jakarta, on Monday, February 26.

Read: KPI Issues Letter for TV Stations over Regional Elections

Hardly added that a task force consisting of the four institutions has been established. He clarified that the regulation is not aimed at limiting political parties or broadcasters, but at maintaining fair and orderly campaign for all parties.

"Campaign ads may appear on television and radio, but not all parties have the access, thus we must have a spirit of justice," he said.

Hardly went on that the KPI will impose sanctions that begins with a written warning. After that, KPI will wait for the KPU and Bawaslu to make a decision. The sanctions will not only be given to broadcasters but also political parties.

Read: Regional Elections: KPI Tells TV Channels to be Proportional

Hardly stated that the KPI and the Press Council will support the KPU and Bawaslu as election organizers. The issue related to campaign advertisement in broadcasters, he said, has also been discussed with broadcasters.

"We hope the broadcasting companies will comply with the rules," he said.

RIANI SANUSI PUTRI