KPI Decides Ganjar's Broadcast On Azan TV Does Not Violate Broadcast Guidelines

Chairman of the Central Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) Ubaidillah/ANTARA/Livia Kristianti)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) decided to broadcast the call to prayer on a private TV network featuring the figure of Ganjar Pranowo, who is a candidate for president (readpres) from PDIP, did not violate the provisions of the Broadcasting Code of Conduct and Broadcast Program Standards (P3SPS).

The decision was taken by KPI through applicable procedures after previously calling the relevant private TV broadcasting agency, namely RCTI and MNCTV.

"Based on the results of the clarification forum and plenary meetings, KPI considers that the Azan Maghrib broadcast featuring one of the public figures or figures does not violate the provisions of the Broadcasting Code of Conduct and Broadcast Program Standards (P3SPS)," said the Head of the Ubaidillah Central KPI, quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, September 14.

The agenda for calling the two private television stations is to clarify and then KPI will follow up on the results with a plenary meeting.

Although the content does not violate the guidelines that apply to broadcasting, Ubaidillah appealed to related broadcasting institutions not to broadcast the content anymore to support the 2024 peaceful general election (election) narrative.

Previously, on Monday (11/9), the public was busy talking about the call to prayer content featuring Ganjar Pranowo in a network of private TV broadcasters.

The show raises perception and is associated with identity politics and ultimately reaps a lot of views in society.

Deputy Minister of Religion (Wamenag) Saiful Rahmat Dasuki on Tuesday (12/9) also argued that the call to prayer showed that the candidate for president Ganjar Pranowo on private television stations was not an identity politics.

"In my opinion, it's not (identity politics)," said Deputy Minister of Religion Saiful at the Office of the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture (PMK), Jakarta.

Saiful did not mind Ganjar Pranowo's presence on the call to prayer, because this did not damage the meaning of the call to prayer. It is different if the figure of the presidential candidate uses political attributes, it is included in identity politics.