KPI Issues Letter for TV Stations over Regional Elections

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Nuning Rodiah, the commissioner of the Center for Broadcasting Content Supervision at the Indonesia Broadcasting Commission, said her office has been in communications with the General Elections Commission (KPU) and the Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) in relation to the broadcasting of regional head candidates on televisions.

Nuning added that the KPI sent a circular letter to TV and radio stations on February 13, 2018, calling on them to follow broadcasting regulations during the regional head election this year.

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

During the campaign period, broadcasters are required to remain neutral in terms of news and particular programs.

Broadcasters are also prohibited from featuring candidates as hosts, advertising models, or film actors. The KPI also require them not to broadcast campaign ads other than those financed by the KPU.

Furthermore, the KPI prohibits re-broadcasting of campaign process, open debate, or track record of one of the candidates.

Read: Jokowi Says Regional Elections Should Not Divide the Nation

Violating the regulations will result in sanctions in accordance with to the mechanism applied by KPI and KPU.

The campaign period begins today and will last until June 24. The voting will take place on June 27, and the ballot tally will be conducted on February 28.

ADAM PRIREZA