Enrich Substances, Broadcasting Bill Needs Input

JAKARTA Discussion on the Revision of the Broadcasting Law (RUU) implemented by Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR) of the Republic of Indonesia through the Working Committee of the Broadcasting Bill, continues, with the agenda of the Broadcasting Committee RDUP which discusses the Impact of Multiplatform Broadcasting Arrangements, by presenting the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI), National Commission for Child Protection, National Commission for Women and ICT Watch.

Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives from the Golkar Party faction of the South Sumatra electoral district I, as well as a member of the Panja of the Broadcasting Bill Yudha Novanza Utama, revealed that in the process of revising this law, it requires input and suggestions from all parties or stakeholders related to the implementation of the law itself.

"We need input from all parties, especially in direct contact with the rules that will be ratified later," he explained quoting a written statement, Thursday, May 1.

Yudha revealed that the RDPU agenda was carried out, namely listening to input from four institutions that had been taking seriously the impact of using technology, through various platforms or multiplatforms that were internet-free.

"The presence of KPAI, the National Commission for Child Protection, the National Commission for the Protection of Women, and the ICT Watch, aims to provide input to enrich the substance of the Broadcasting Bill," he explained.

Yudha also explained that it was a serious concern, namely the negative impact of the number of content that did not match the age, especially children. It is hoped that with input, the purpose of the Broadcasting Bill is in line with the wishes of all stakeholders.

"Hopefully this Broadcasting Bill will be able to have a positive impact on the people, especially children and women," he concluded.

Meanwhile, Komnas Perempuan Chairman Maria Ulfa said that there was a shift in the way people access information The emergence of many content that was not of high quality and was not oriented towards public interest The lack of a quality level of attendance on content. so that regulations are needed to regulate and facilitate the use of technology so that content broadcast is in accordance with relevant quality standards and regulations.

"It is necessary to strengthen the role of regulators to oversee the conduciveness of broadcasting the Protection of the Community from Harmful Content, such as violent content, pornography, discrimination, and hate speech," he explained.

The addition of Komnas Perempuan agrees that broadcasting in the digital realm must be monitored in order to create fair, accountable, safe, and innovative conditions, but the expansion of the platform's coverage needs to be clarified. Will it also penetrate to broadcasting on social media, so as not to potentially hinder freedom of opinion and public expression on social media.

"The revision of the Broadcasting Law is also expected to continue to adopt articles in the Broadcasting Law which have accommodated efforts to build an accountable, safe, fair, and equal broadcasting world," he concluded.

The chairman of the National Commission for Child Protection, Agus Tinus Sirait, has established that the 2002 Broadcasting Law has not yet touched the digital realm or multiplatform. So that KPI only has limited authority on frequency-based broadcasts such as television and radio. There is no minimum age regulation for using social media or rules that limit access to certain platforms for children, and sanction mechanisms for content or parties that exploit children.

"We strongly support the Revision of this Broadcasting Law, and we ask that later there be additional rules or articles that include the authority of KPI to oversee global platforms. As well as the role of supervision of viral content that is not child friendly," he said.

KPAI chairman Ai Maryati Solihah said that the Broadcasting Bill still has legal vacancies or special regulatory weaknesses related to child protection, so there is still a need for special emphasis later, and it is very much needed in law enforcement.

"We hope that there will be special articles in law enforcement that will involve child protection later. So that there are regulations and regulators that are indeed supervisors at the lower level," he said.

ICT Watch Executive Director Indriyanto Banyumurti revealed that it is necessary to affirm a non-criminalization approach to digital space regulations. Thus encouraging educational and dialogue-based approaches, in the context of setting up digital spaces with clear and firm regulations related to harmful behaviors, such as the spread of misinformation, violence & sexual exploitation, or other potentially dangerous behavior.

"Considering to focus on strengthening interoperability in digital space regulations, including open communication and collaboration between actors in case handling and technology development) and inclusive AI-based technology development for content moderation," he stressed.