KPI`s Netflix, Youtube Plan Seen as Basic Rule Misconception

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Broadcasting enthusiast has criticized the move of Indonesia Broadcasting Commission (KPI) which plans to monitor and supervise contents broadcasted across digital media platforms such as Netflix, Facebook, and Youtube.

Member of National Broadcasting Reform Coalition, Muhammad Heychael argues that KPI’s insistence to do so is mistaken.

“Most importantly is that KPI is mistaken to do such a thing. That will exceed their authority,” said Heychael to Tempo on Monday, August 12.

He maintains that KPI’s authority is to supervise conventional broadcasting media that use the public frequency such as those in conventional television and radio. Digital media contents, he said, are not within KPI’s authority.

Heychael further maintains that the revised Law on Broadcasting discussed by the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission I indeed mentions about digitalization, but he argues that it refers to the technological shift from analog to digital. He suspects this has been misinterpreted by the KPI.

“It is misunderstood to think they have authority over the digital platform. No, it’s more about the broadcasting technology shift. I guess this is more of a misunderstanding,” he said.

A similar sentiment was shared by South East Asia Freedom for Expression Network (SAFEnet) executive director Damar Juniarto who argues that Law No.32/2002 mandates KPI to oversee issues regarding broadcasting.

“The broadcasting realm is signaled by a frequency broadcast, while broadband uses internet bandwidth,” said Damar in a written statement on Monday, August 12.

He stresses that broadcast mediums are satellite TVs and paid TV contents. Meanwhile, IPTV and OTT streaming uses broadband. “Youtube and Facebook are under the OTT streaming and Netflix is categorized into a different category, SVOD,” said Damar.

BUDIARTI UTAMI PUTRI