TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Communications and Information (Kominfo) Ministry asserted that the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) has no authority to supervise contents on digital media platforms such as YouTube, Facebook Live, HBO TV, and Netflix so far.

The ministry’s broadcasting director, Geryantika Kurnia, said the matter was not regulated yet in the Law No. 32/2002 on broadcasting.

“As long as the law does not assign KPI [to do so], it doesn’t have the power,” said Geryantika at the Ombudsman Indonesia building, South Jakarta, Monday, August 12. In the Broadcasting Law, he added, the commission was only tasked to monitor contents in frequency broadcasts, like television.

KPI earlier announced this plan following public complaints against contents on YouTube and Netflix. KPI head Agung Suprio admitted that the law did not assertively mention new media such those, yet it noted "other media", which he considered including the two digital media platforms.

Therefore, KPI will hold a focus group discussion after August 17, 2019, to canvass different interpretations of the law. Besides, Agung assessed the Press Council used the term "other media" to oversee online media.

The plan sparked mass protests from netizens. Thousands of people signed an online petition against the planned supervision of YouTube, Facebook, and Netflix by KPI.

However, Geryantika explained the term "other media" could not be used deliberately to monitor Netflix and YouTube. “There should be a firm regulation,” he remarked, adding that KPI could act as a regular member of the society and submit a complaint to Kominfo Ministry against contents or programs on the internet. So if there is any violation, the ministry will take action.

FAJAR PEBRIANTO