Indonesian journalist organizations are concerned about proposed changes to the country’s broadcasting law, which they fear could stifle press freedom and investigative journalism. The Press Council highlighted that the bill goes against the principles of the press law and could lead to bad journalism in the future. The bill was originally proposed in 2020 and was recently finalized with minor revisions in May 2023. One of the key points of contention is a provision that prohibits the exclusive broadcasting of investigative journalism content.
The bill aims to address challenges posed by new media platforms, but journalist associations are worried that it could restrict press freedom. Critics argue that the provision prohibiting investigative journalism content undermines the mandate of the press law, which guarantees press freedom and bans censorship. Another controversial aspect of the bill is the expansion of the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission’s authority in resolving journalistic disputes, a role currently held by the Press Council. Critics fear that this change could lead to overlap between the two jurisdictions.
The drafting process of the bill has been criticized for ignoring the constitutional court’s decision requiring meaningful public participation in legislative processes. Critics argue that community involvement is crucial in the drafting of laws to avoid overlapping laws and ensure that public opinion is heard and considered. Minister of Communication and Informatics Budi Arie Setiadi questioned the rationale behind provisions in the bill that could lead to the banning of investigative journalism. He emphasized the importance of investigative journalism in meeting society’s growing demands.
In response to public outcry, members of the legislature involved in drafting the bill have stated that it is not yet finalized and they are open to input from the public and journalism community. The Chairman of the house’s legislation body assured that the House would address contentious issues and invited input from stakeholders. Commission I member TB Hasanuddin acknowledged the need for careful consideration of the bill’s impact on journalism reporting while emphasizing that press freedom should be exercised with caution and serve the public interest. Overall, the proposed changes to the broadcasting law in Indonesia have sparked concerns about press freedom and the future of investigative journalism in the country.
