VIVAnews - The Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) asked all TV stations to be neutral in the upcoming presidential elections on July 8, 2009. The expectation was conveyed by KPI Chairperson Sasa Djuarsa on KPI’s official website.
“I am asking TV stations to give presidential and vice presidential candidates equal chances to be featured on TV”, Djuarsa said on KPI’s official website on Wednesday, Jun 24.
KPI emphasized on the issue after asking for clarification from three TV stations on Monday, June 22.
The three stations, Metro TV, RCTI and TPI gave their clarification on the indication of blocking time on their programs which feature one of the presidential candidates.
RCTI, which was represented by Gilang Iskandar and Syahril Nasution, explained that the program that was broadcasted on June 14, 2009 from 4.30 pm to 5 pm was not a time blocking.
The program was part of a news package which featured the profile of the candidates in equal portions.
TPI, who covered Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Boediono’s campaign on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 5 pm to 5.30 pm, also declared that the coverage was not a time blocking.
According to TPI’s representative, Sugito, Saefudin Kurdi and Wijaya Kusuma S, the same opportunity will be given to other candidates.
Metro TV, which was represented by Adjie SSA and Bonaparte, also said that the “JK Would Lead With The People” show on June 14, 2009 from 8 pm to 9 pm was not a time blocking.
As the election channel, Metro TV would cover all elections-related events. The station also said that they would give equal slots to all of the candidates to present their vision and mission.
Clarifications from the three TV stations were presented to Djuarsa, KPI Deputy Fetty Fajriato, KPI members Ecip, Amar Ahmad, and Izzul Muslimin as the coordinator of elections desk.
Muslimin highlighted the equal chances that have to be given to the candidates regarding the slot.
He also said that broadcasting agencies have to keep their neutrality and avoid being sponsored by one of the candidates.
Commenting on the issue, Kusuma from TPI said their station did not take any candidate’s side. “In fact, if we do, that’s our loss”, he said.
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Translated by: Nataya Ermanti
