Jakarta - The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin Indonesia) held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on the Draft Broadcasting Bill (RUU Penyiaran) with the theme: “Harmonizing Broadcasting Regulations in the Convergence Era: Ensuring Equality and Fair Competition in the Broadcasting Industry.” The event took place at the Kadin Tower in South Jakarta on Thursday, April 17, 2025.

The FGD brought together a broad range of stakeholders, including academics, industry associations, and digital platform representatives. Chris Taufik, Chair of the Permanent Committee for Communication and Digital Policy and Research at Kadin Indonesia, stated that the discussion generated a wide range of valuable insights.

"We received a fairly comprehensive set of inputs. First, from traditional media—whose ideological foundation differs from new media—the main concern was about achieving fairness through regulatory relaxation, as they continue to be heavily regulated," Chris explained.

He went on to say that newer players, particularly Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms such as Video on Demand (VOD) services, generally favored a model of self-regulation.

"These platforms have long operated under a self-regulatory framework. Meanwhile, OTT platforms based on video sharing or user-generated content expressed a strong desire to be more actively involved in the legislative discussions," he added.

Chris emphasized that the feedback received underscored the urgent need for updated regulations that reflect today’s media landscape. The rapid evolution of digital technology, he said, has rendered the existing Broadcasting Law outdated.

"The current industrial landscape is simply not addressed by the existing broadcasting legislation. Government representatives were present at the event, including from the Ministry of Communications and Digital (Komdigi). Director General Mr. Edwin Hidayat Abdullah was represented by Mr. Gunawan. Representatives from the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) also attended, and all agreed that there are critical elements that need to be addressed now, not later," Chris explained.

From the academic side, Chris noted that the discussion focused more on the conceptual foundations of the bill. Scholars from the University of Indonesia (UI) and Bina Nusantara University (Binus) raised questions regarding the core values the regulation aims to uphold.

"They delved into the fundamental values behind the bill—whether it is market-driven, industry-focused, or aligned with other sectors. That was the main thrust of their input," Chris said.

He added that the discussion outcomes will be formally compiled and submitted to the government, particularly the Ministry of Communications and Digital (Komdigi) and Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI).

"We’ve already initiated communication. In fact, some associations have held preliminary hearings with the DPR. Kadin will submit our official position in writing," he stated.

The FGD was organized under the initiative of Kadin Indonesia's Board of Directors, coordinated by Deputy Chair for Organization, Communication, and Regional Empowerment (OKP), Erwin Aksa, and Deputy Chair for Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi), Clarissa Tanoesoedibjo.

The discussion featured key speakers such as Edwin Hidayat Abdullah, Director General of Digital Ecosystem at the Ministry of Komdigi; Ubaidillah, Chairman of the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI); and academic representatives including Nina Mutmainnah and Whisnu Triwibowo from the University of Indonesia, as well as Hardijanto Saroso and Indra Prawira from Bina Nusantara University.

In addition to academia, Kadin Indonesia also involved industry players, relevant associations, and media platforms to gather holistic input. By bridging various interests, Kadin Indonesia hopes that the forthcoming Broadcasting Bill will not merely impose regulations but will foster balance and sustainability in the broadcasting ecosystem.