The Minister Of Communication And Information Firmly Rejects Draft Bill On Broadcasting Prohibited From Broadcasting Investigative Journalism

SOE Minister Erick Thohir (left) walked with Minister of Communication and Information Budi Arie Setiadi (left third) accompanied by a member of the LKBN Corporation Supervisory Board ANTARA Monang Sinaga (right)

JAKARTA - Minister of Communication and Information Budi Arie Setiadi questioned the prohibition of exclusive broadcast of investigative journalism as contained in the draft Revision of Law (RUU) Number 32 of 2022 concerning Broadcasting. "Jurnalistics must be investigated, period prohibited? Journalism must continue to grow because the demands of the community are also growing," said Budi Arie in Jakarta, quoted from Antara, Tuesday, May 14. In the draft Revision of Law (RUU) Number 32 of 2022 concerning Broadcasting, there is one point that states a ban on exclusive broadcast of investigative journalism. Budi Arie said that the draft revision of the Broadcasting Law is still being discussed and rolled out in the DPR RI. "The broadcast law is being discussed again," he said. It is known, in Article 56 paragraph 2, the Broadcasting Bill states that in addition to containing guidelines for the feasibility of broadcast content and broadcast content as referred to in paragraph (1), the Broadcast Content Standard (SIS) contains a ban on broadcast content and broadcast content related to narcotics, psychotropics, addictive substances, alcohol, and gambling, cigarettes, exclusive broadcast of investigative journalism, broadcast of a profession or a figure who has a negative behavior or lifestyle that has the potential to be imitated by the public. Then, the screening of acts of violence and/or victims of violence. Content containing mystical elements. Content that presents lesbian, homosexual, bisexual, and transgender behavior. Content of supernatural medicine, and some other prohibitions. The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Indonesia has stated that it rejects the revision of Law Number 32 of 2022 concerning Broadcasting, which is currently rolling in the DPR RI. "AJI refuses. The articles have a lot of problems. So if forced, it will cause problems," said AJI Indonesia National Management Bayu Wardhana in Jakarta, Wednesday, April 24.

He also suggested that if the law should be revised, it should be carried out by members of the House of Representatives for the next period, not those in the current period. The reason is, with only a few months left, and a more in-depth discussion is still needed.