By Dwiyanti Amalia )*
In the increasingly widespread digital era, the transformation of broadcast media has transcended conventional boundaries. Television and radio broadcasts are no longer the sole sources of public information, but have instead competed and merged with digital platforms and internet-based streaming services, or over-the-top (OTT). This phenomenon demands regulations that are adaptive, responsive, and progressive to the changing times. This is where the strategic position of the Revised Broadcasting Law (RUU Penyiaran) becomes crucial.
The Indonesian government and the House of Representatives (DPR RI), through Commission I, have demonstrated a serious commitment to developing broadcasting regulations relevant to current needs. The currently underway revision of the Broadcasting Law addresses the various challenges and dynamics of broadcasting in the digital era. Deputy Chairman of Commission I of the DPR RI, Dave Akbarshah Fikarno Laksono, explained that this revision has undergone three substantive changes as a form of adjustment to parent regulations, such as the Job Creation Law. While the revision process was not quick, it demonstrates the seriousness of policymakers in ensuring that this bill is truly comprehensive and unhurried.
One of the main focuses of this revision is the regulation of OTT services and digital platforms. This is crucial considering that the previous Broadcasting Law only regulated analog broadcasting, while the public’s media consumption is now largely conducted through digital devices. Therefore, adding substance related to OTT services, such as YouTube, TikTok, Netflix, and others, is a crucial step to ensure regulations keep pace with the realities faced by the public.
Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR) is also carefully considering whether to include regulations on OTT and digital platforms in the Broadcasting Bill or draft separate legislation. This demonstrates a cautious approach to ensuring regulations are not merely administrative but also functional in maintaining a healthy and competitive Indonesian digital space.
The Broadcasting Bill also contains a broader objective: to encourage national economic growth through the broadcasting industry without stifling creativity or erasing national identity. Regulatory adjustments must serve as a means to strengthen a fair, healthy, and high-quality media ecosystem. Good regulations are those that strike a balance between public protection and freedom of expression, while also supporting innovation and upholding national values.
Amelia Anggraini, a member of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), made a key proposal regarding strengthening oversight of digital platforms, namely by granting the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) and the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) authority to access the algorithmic systems or digital content recommendations used by social media platforms. This proposal is based on the need to protect the public, especially children, from exposure to extreme content, hoaxes, and broadcasts that do not comply with the Broadcasting Code of Conduct and Broadcast Program Standards (P3SPS).
This proposal is not a form of state intervention in technology, but rather a preventative measure to prevent Indonesia’s digital space from becoming fertile ground for the spread of dangerous or destructive content. Access to algorithms is also not uncommon, as several countries such as Canada, France, Singapore, and Turkey have already enacted similar regulations to safeguard their digital sovereignty. It is time for Indonesia to also assert its sovereignty by establishing the principles of transparency and public protection as the primary foundation of national digital governance.
The Broadcasting Bill is also expected to serve as a foundation for improving public media literacy. The Acting Head of the North Sumatra Communications and Informatics Agency, Porman Mahulae, welcomed the revised bill. He urged all stakeholders to use this regulation as a momentum to strengthen media literacy at the local level, ensuring that the public is not merely passive consumers but also develops critical thinking and discernment in responding to the content they access.
With good media literacy, it will be easier for people to differentiate between credible information and misleading content. This is important to build a society that is resilient to false and provocative information, which often spreads more quickly through digital platforms without adequate oversight.
The Broadcasting Bill is a strategic step towards creating a healthy, ethical, and inclusive information landscape. Amidst the rapid flow of information globalization, Indonesia needs a strong legal framework to maintain the national media ecosystem in line with the values of Pancasila and diversity.
The government and the House of Representatives’ commitment to finalizing the Broadcasting Bill during this legislative period is a positive signal that the state is committed to ensuring the quality of public information. This effort certainly requires support from all elements of the nation, including media practitioners, academics, civil society, and social media users.
With sound regulation, Indonesia’s digital space will be a safe, productive, and constructive one. Therefore, it is a shared responsibility to oversee this legislative process in a participatory and constructive manner, ensuring that the results truly reflect the interests and aspirations of the wider community.
The Broadcasting Bill is not intended to restrict freedom of expression, but rather to ensure that such freedom is aligned with national responsibility and values. The government ensures that Indonesia’s digital space will remain healthy, fair, and sovereign through visionary regulations that promote the public interest.
)* the author is a public policy observer
