Jakarta – The government and legislature continue to make progress in strengthening information governance and guaranteeing the public’s right to accurate, objective, and reliable broadcasting. One concrete manifestation of this commitment is the drafting of the Broadcasting Bill, which is currently under intensive discussion by stakeholders.
One of the main focuses of the Broadcasting Bill is strengthening the principle of social responsibility in the broadcasting industry. This is achieved through stricter regulations on broadcast content standards, including the obligation to present news based on facts, impartially, and free from slander or hate speech.
This regulation is not intended to restrict freedom of expression, but rather to ensure that this right does not violate the public’s right to accurate and balanced information. Furthermore, the Broadcasting Bill also aligns broadcasting norms with developments in digital technology, including internet-based broadcasting and streaming services such as those on social media.
Amelia Anggraini, a member of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), proposed that the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) and the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) be given the authority to access digital content recommendation systems or algorithms used by social media platforms such as YouTube, Meta, and TikTok.
“The Broadcasting Bill we are currently discussing explicitly proposes that Komdigi or the KPI be given the authority to access the digital content recommendation system,” said Amelia.
He believes that this authority will not be a form of state intervention in technology and social media, but rather a preventive measure to safeguard the national digital ecosystem.
Furthermore, Andina Thresia Narang, a member of Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR), highlighted the rise of abusive content, hoaxes, and even pornography through live broadcasts. This is often exploited to spread hate speech, vulgar content, and fake accounts that cause public unrest. Therefore, the inclusion of strict regulations in the Broadcasting Bill is crucial.
“We need to work together to build a safer and fairer digital broadcasting system by revising the Broadcasting Law. The broadcasting law must adapt to changing times and must not be delayed for years,” said Andina.
The Broadcasting Bill is expected to bring a spirit of reform to regulations that have been deemed inadequate to address the challenges of information disruption, the spread of hoaxes, and the proliferation of misleading content on various media platforms. In an increasingly connected and fast-paced world, the public needs assurance that the information they obtain from broadcasters is sourced from accurate and verified journalistic processes.
