THE TELEVISION BUSINESS IN INDONESIA: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE OLD REGIME, THE NEW ORDER, AND THE REFORM ERA

Abstract

This article compares the television industry in Indonesia during the reign of the Old Order, the New Order, and the Reform Era. A full review of television broadcasting in all eras is still rarely carried out by Indonesian researchers. The author uses qualitative research methods in the form of comparative studies and library studies based on secondary data. In this comparison, the author focuses on eleven aspects of the problem, namely; the system of broadcasting, ownership, the form of broadcasting institutions, objectives, funding, broadcast coverage, control, and supervision, licensing, press freedom, media content trends, and society in relation to the television industry. The author found that although since independence Indonesia has been based on Pancasila democracy, in every era of government there have been differences in TV broadcasting arrangements. The Old Order period was more dominated by the role of government. This situation continued during the first 20 years of the New Order government, but in the last ten years of the New Order, the private sector dominated the TV industry. This dominance has continued into the reform era and treats society as a market and a political object. During all periods, it is the government which determines to license, and the implementation of the Broadcasting Act is not strictly enforced. A less strict attitude in the implementation of the Broadcasting Act indicates that the country is flexible and endeavours to find ways to compromise with stakeholders.