Exclusive! Agung Suprio: New Media Is Not Included In Field Of Broadcasting Law, There Must Be Revisions Or Create New

The rapid development of the internet makes new media inaccessible to Law No. 32 of 2002 concerning Broadcasting. In fact, the function of new media is similar to TV and radio. According to Agung Suprio, the chairman of the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) there should be a revision of the Broadcasting Law or a new law that specifically regulates new media.

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When Law No. 32 on Broadcasting was drafted by the legislature, those who drafted the law could not imagine the rapid development of the internet and information technology. At that time radio and television were still the prima donnas of information dissemination. The presence of new media whose function is almost the same as radio and TV and even more, in conveying information makes people classify new media in the realm of broadcasting.

According to the Southeastern University page, there are five types of new media. Namely blogs, virtual reality (virtual reality), social media (social media), online newspapers (online newspaper), and digital games. The development of new media is becoming more and more unstoppable. “Currently, the penetration of the new media is deeper. Now YouTube, for example, is the same as TV. Moreover, later when 5G is already crowded, the speed is 200 times. Consumption of new media is increasing. Now, millennials rarely watch TV," said Agung.

This phenomenon does not only occur in Indonesia, but also in other parts of the world. “Changes like this are happening everywhere, in Europe and America too. People often say this because the content is not good, so people move. I don't think so, you can see in America and Europe TV content there is good, but there are also trends like this," he explained.

RCTI and INews two years ago had submitted a judicial review of Law No. 32 of 2002 to the Constitutional Court (MK). The reason, according to MNC Group's Corporate Legal Director Chistophorus Taufik, is that there is an urgent need for persuasive regulation of some content via the internet. This was reported by Kompas.com. However, this material test was rejected by the Court. After that, it has not been heard from any party who has submitted a judicial review of the Act.

Therefore, according to Agung Suprio, in order to accommodate this new media, there must be a revision of Law No. 32 of 2002 or a new law that specifically covers new media which has developed so rapidly. In addition to talking about new media, he also discussed the role of KPI in monitoring radio and TV when they were still using the analog system and predictions when the digital system was implemented. This is an excerpt from the full interview with Iqbal Irsyad, Edy Suherli, Savic Rabos, and Rifai who met him recently at the Central KPI Office, Juanda Street, Central Jakarta.

So far, in what contexts are broadcasting institutions frequently committing violations?

The Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) supervises two types of broadcasting institutions, the first is television and radio. One TV is supervised by 4 monitors. The Central KPU supervised 18 networked television stations, during the New Order era it was called national TV. So he has a network throughout Indonesia. One more thing is TVRI as public television which also has networks everywhere or can also be called national TV.

One TV is watched by 4 people, taking turns working for 6 hours. For 24 hours TV broadcasts are monitored by KPI. Why is it monitored, because the purpose of the broadcasting law is clearly to educate the nation's life, form generations, then create national integration. In addition to the Central KPI, there are also regional KPIs that monitor TV and radio in each province.

The average television violation is the result of the annual evaluation of the KPI for entertainment. It's a potentially breaking genre because; The first is directly the average talent or the host who slips away. If the violation is serious, we will give sanctions if it violates the P3SPS (broadcasting behavior guidelines and broadcast program standards). Next is soap operas, yes, even then there are violations, the less customers come here.

Then the next breach of the news. In this news, the violations are not unfounded in fact, but indeed in the broadcasting code of conduct and broadcast program standards, it is not allowed.

For news material that will intersect with the Press Council, how does KPI view this?

The news broadcast on television is clearly the domain of two parties, the first is the Press Council and the second is KPI. For example, there are people who feel that their reputation has been defamed in the context of reporting. He complained to KPI, in this context KPI sent a letter to the Press Council to handle it. So there is always cooperation with the Press Council.

What about the offense on the Radio?

We also monitor radio, especially network radio. If local radio handles KPID. Radio rarely has violations, except those reported by the public.

What about new media such as Youtube and the like, social media twitter, facebook and others, what is the regulation like?

Currently, the penetration of the new media is deeper. Now YouTube, for example, is the same as TV. Moreover, later when 5G is already crowded, the speed is 200 times. Consumption of new media is increasing. Now, millennials rarely watch TV. Changes like this are happening everywhere, in Europe and America too. People often say this because the content is not good, so people move. I don't think so, you can see in America and Europe that TV content is good there, but there is also a trend like this.

In Europe advertising has moved to new media 30 percent. This data from several years ago means that there is a change in people's behavior in watching, so it is disrupted. The positive side of television is that it is still the media most trusted by the public compared to new media. If there is a hoax or viral news on social media, they will confirm it on the TV. The level of trust is the highest because before the news was published, there was a cross-check and a check and re-check first. Have to pass a few tables before it can be served. Even then, if there is a violation, the KPI or the Press Council will get a syringe. Meanwhile, in the new media, anyone can become a journalist. The video that is shown is given a caption, sometimes the caption doesn't match, it has gone viral, so it's not accurate.

The matter of entertainment in new media is also free, it is not possible on TV. Just talk dirty about the KPI warning. Another example of a discussion about sex on TV must be after 10 pm. The resource person must also be competent, such as a doctor or sex expert. Do not advocate casual sex. The goal is to educate the public.

Are there any efforts from KPI to facilitate regulation for new media?

Regarding this new media, there is a question whether it is included in the broadcasting category, because it has the same impact as TV. Two years ago, RCTI and Inews conducted a judicial review at the Constitutional Court regarding whether new media was included in the realm of the Indonesian broadcasting commission. Unfortunately the attempt was rejected. This means that he did not enter into the broadcasting law because Law 32 of 2002 did not regulate it. At that time there was no WA, YouTube, Facebook, at that time there was no new media.

The development of technology is so fast. In law 32, this new media is not included in the classification of broadcasting. What's interesting is that in the Constitutional Court's decision there must be a revision of the law or make a new law, so that the sociological reality was included in the law regulated in the law. So, it is not immediately rejected but acknowledged that there is a sociological reality in society and this must be regulated in a law or revision to the existing broadcasting law.

When there is no revision of the law or there is a new law, KPI cannot enter and regulate new media. What can be used is the ITE Law, which is subject to the content of the creator. If you use the broadcasting law, if this is included in a broadcasting program, then the object of the law is YouTube, not the creator's content. The company is the YouTube party, the Facebook party. So the disruption happened so fast, and there were no laws that could be anticipated in advance, there was a void.

This condition also occurs in several other countries. Some countries have set up TV streaming. In Europe 30 percent of streaming TV broadcasts must use a language in European countries other than English. It is interesting, new media is used as a strategy to maintain culture. It's interesting so we're not just watching, but we're thinking more broadly. How do we have a cultural strategy to use everything that exists including; new media, TV streaming in defending our culture. Even if you can expand the culture to other countries.

Is the regulation regulated by KPI?

We leave it to the DPR as the legislator. From the TV side too, they are more on the business side. They are strictly regulated by KPI, cigarette advertisements are limited to talking about sex as well. But in new media there are no restrictions at all. The content is free, even ads are included. It's not a matter of quality or not quality, but it's ad-free too.

Why do people prefer to see new media?

Because it's better, we can see any time, anywhere, any place, we can go back and forth. If the TV is one-way, that's the convenience. People say content is King okay, but remember now it can't be like that now the platform is Kingdom.

What about the ban on "radical" clerics from lecturing in public media?

We do require that clerics who appear not to be anti-NKRI, not anti-Pancasila, must support the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia and support Pancasila. Then not from a banned organization. So that's what we circulated, no names at all.

This is the decision of the KPIs. What is a radical cleric? Yes, the cleric who rejects the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia rejects Pancasila. We don't want things like that on our television. So we did ask broadcasters not to present such clerics. The first is radical. The second one, who has not yet become an ustad or kiai, has appeared on TV, and in the end, everything is ridiculous. Because it can cause a commotion in the public. We invite clerics who understand, all who are kaffah, God willing, provide coolness to the audience.

Soon Analog Switch Off (ASO) will be implemented, will it affect KPI performance?

The implementation of the first phase of ASO 30 April 2022, the second phase 25 August 2022 and the third phase 2 November 2022. Why was this stage made if there are weaknesses that can be covered at a later stage. KPI supports the government's steps in making three stages, with a note that socialization must be intensive because I'm afraid there are people who don't know that we want to switch on March 30. So people who still have analog TVs must first buy a set top box so they can catch digital TV broadcasts. And the set top box must be available in the market. If possible, this set top box is domestically produced.

Then, renting a mux (multiplexer) for local TV may be expensive, different from networked TV. Therefore, the government must apply an upper limit. The government should pay attention to local TV so that it is affordable. The KPI's concern after the ASO is that it is hoped that the blankspot area with the application of digital TV can be affordable. After November 2022, all TVs have moved to digital, there are remaining frequencies for our internet, we can get 5G, the internet is growing faster.

What are the existing regulations with digital signals?

Currently KPI Supervises 18 TVs, after digital TV there are more TVs that must be watched. Now, there are 50 TVs that have not yet received a permit. If it's digital, it's called a multiplexer. One mux can be used for 12 standard definition (SD) TVs, for high-definition (HD) 6 TVs. In Jakarta, there are 9 mux. If one mux has 10 TVs, it means that in Jakarta there are 90 TVs. Analog era one frequency 1 TV. In the era of digital TV, 18 existing TVs are enough to only fit in 2 muxes.

TV is increasingly segmented, there is Mentari TV TV specifically for children, there is Ajwa TV, this TV is specifically for Islam but is moderate, and there is also Smile TV which serves light talks. And many more. The task of KPI with the transition to Digital TV is getting worse, because more and more people are being monitored.

This is the Suprio's main reason to use traditional clothes in his official activities

Agung Suprio's appearance looks different from other public officials. Since becoming the Chair of the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) he has changed his appearance at official events by wearing regional clothing complete with udeng (a Balinese headgear) which makes his appearance more distinctive.

“Yes, since I became the Chair of KPI, I decided to wear traditional clothes from Bali. I choose traditional clothes in appearance, both formal and informal. Even when I was invited by the DPR, I also wore clothes like this, and thank God the DPR did not have a problem with it," said the man who was born in Jakarta, September 2, 1975.

“I use udeng because of the philosophical meaning it contains. The shape of the higher udeng on the right which has the intention to encourage the wearer to always do good is represented by the right direction. The headband on udeng is a symbol of concentration of mind or ngiket manah or focus. In general, udeng describes togetherness, harmony, purity, patience, and politeness," he explained.

Agung wearing this traditional dress is not without purpose. “First, I want to maintain the existence of Indonesian culture through the expression of dress. If we don't use it, who else will appreciate or know Indonesian culture. Both KPIs want every Indonesian culture to be present in every television program, be it in dialect and clothing, as well as in other cultures. So every culture that is displayed individually, like me or on television, is often said, then the object will continue to exist more and more,” he said.

He suggested to public officials, public figures, as well as content creators as well as to stand-up comedy to be able to use regional clothing in their appearances. Regional clothing worn no less cool with other clothing.

According to Agung, buying regional clothing is not expensive. Even looking for it is easy. "The price is not too expensive. So you can search in market places or online figures. When I go to Bali, I also buy a lot. There are a lot of clothes sold there like the one I'm wearing," said Agung, who received many donations of sarongs and udeng pants since he wore regional clothes.

Using regional clothing for Agung is not complicated. "It turns out that this is not complicated and not hot. This is really cool, we just need to design a little of our clothes, our clothes are in accordance with the culture. We can maintain Indonesian culture," he said.

Solo Traveling

Agung, who loves to travel, must restrain his desire. However, he was a little relieved by the work visits he did in the area. “I like traveling everywhere. In fact, I tend to travel alone (solo traveling). I go to a place by myself, in a new place to meet people who also do the same thing. Now there are many solo traveling communities on Facebook. After meeting new people and exploring the same destination will be an exciting experience,” he said.

This solo traveling activity has rarely been carried out since Agung was elected as KPI chairman. Time is wasted for office matters. There is also time to go to the area for work. “Since I became the Head of KPI, I rarely travel solo. If I have to go to the area for work. In the areas I visited, I took the time to see tourist objects that had never been visited. It was really delicious,” continued this former prominent radio broadcaster in Jakarta and TVRI host.

Unique Experience

During his tenure as KPI Chair, Agung had at least two unique experiences. The first time he made a working visit to Makassar last year. “At that time there was a pregnant woman who approached me. Then I was told to stroke her stomach, which is 8 months pregnant. The goal is for their children to be great like me,” said Agung.

"I asked the mother how did she know me?"

"Yes, I know, you're viral," replied the mother.

"I pray that your child will be like me and can be even greater than me," Agung prayed for the mother.

The second experience occurred in Lombok, NTB. At that time, Agung was asked to motivate students and women at one of the Islamic boarding schools there. “I was asked to tell about my career journey from being a radio announcer, television announcer, and then becoming the Head of KPI. I was asked to motivate students and female students to be active and enthusiastic about learning to achieve brilliant achievements," he said.

After the event, there was a female student who cried and fainted. Then they were taken to Kiai's room. "I wonder why you fainted? What's wrong?," continued the man who finished his Political Science at the University of Indonesia and continued his master's degree in Political Science at the same campus.

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After the female student woke up, Agung asked. And the student's answer surprised Agung, "I'm touched to meet you sir. You are handsome, I want to be like you," said the female student who was imitated by Agung Suprio.

“Currently, the penetration of the new media is deeper. YouTube, for example, is the same as TV. Moreover, later when 5G is crowded, the speed is 200 times. Consumption of new media is increasing. Now, millennials rarely watch TV. Changes like this are happening everywhere, in Europe and America too. People often say this because the content is not good, so people move. I don't think so, you can see in America and Europe the TV content there is good, but there is also a trend like this."

Agung Suprio