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Thank you,
to everyone who rolled away the stone
blocking the path to freedom in 1998.
To our friends at Utan Kayu,
for enabling KBR 68H to grow.
Waves of Freedom Radio News Agency KBR 68H Author Cover Design Layout Photos Translator
: Santoso : Jitet Kustana : Yudi Paul M. Nuh : KBR 68H Archives : Ruth MacKenzie
ISBN: 979-97012-8-7
Published by KBR 68H
Table of contents
Table of Contents ...... ............. ... ... .. .... ..... .. ... .... ........ ....... i
Foreword ........ ..... .. ...... .... ...... ..... .. ............. ...................... v
'\ Friend in the Transiti o n toward s Democracy feh/asH/
v
In the Broadcasting Mix, KBR 68H is a Breath o f Fresh Air S. J il1ansan'
IX
Chapter 1. A beginning .. .... ........... ..... .. ... .. .. .. .. ........... ... 1
Chapter 2. Networking ........................... .. ... ................... 9
ot all plain sailing ............................................ ... .. ......................... 16
Growing toge ther ... .. ... .. ...... ...... ....... ........................... .. .... .. .. .. .......... 18
N ot only in Indones ia
20
Frllits oj FreedoJJ1 ................ .................. ..... .............. ...... .... .. ................. 34
Chapter 3. Public radio in spirit ....... ....... ............... ..... 39
Breaking out Billetin Jore ............ .. ... .. ..... ... .. .... .. ............................... 42
Three programme catego rie s
44
ii
Waves of Freedom
J oint programmes
Table of Contents
53
Starved of information, Yahukimo goes hungry
iii
125
A player in global information
54
Asia Calling
55
Chapter 8. Rising above the tsunami .... .. ..... ............ 129
Radio Utan Kayu
58
Building radio stations
131
Distributing transistor radios
13 7
Chapter 4. From dispatch rider to satellite ....... .. .... ... 63
Kflbar Aceh
139
The KBR 68H Logger .. ..... .... ........... ............ ....... .......... ..... ....... ..... . 72
Training
142
- Management Training ...... ......................... .. .... .. .. ... ....... ............... 142
Chapter 5. Training and training .... .......... .... ....... .. ...... 77
- Journalism Training
144
N o shame in learning ...................... .. ...... ......... ..... .......... .............. ... 78
Motivating others to train
79
In house training and internships
83
- Technical Training
145
Martunis
146
Building wells
147
Traini ng in election coverage
84
\,\lhen public services grind to a halt
149
Literature vacuum
86
Chapter 6. The social market.. .... .............. .. ................ 93
Chapter 9.Transformation : from NGO to media
business ... ... .................................................... ...... ... ... 153
Reaching displaced people ............................. ................................. 94
\ Anti violence .......... ............. 96
The formation of a company
154
Learning to sell
156
Policy communication
97
General meetings of sharehold ers
159
111itra Daerah (Regional Partners)
98
Creating a dream
162
Direct general elections
100
\.u spicious tim es
164
Ill iteracy
101
E fficiency
166
Knowing our listeners
168
A step forward
172
Chapter 7. To the ends of the country ..................... 103
Radio Merbau, Bintuni, Irian J aya Barat ..................................... 104
R adio Matoa, Manokwari, Irian Jaya Barat .............. .......... ........ 107
A trip down memory lane .. .......... .. .................... ......... 175
R adio Gelora Ta l'llI/, T ual, Maluku Tenggara ...................... ...... 110
E ni Mulia : It's great being paid juSt to talk .... .................... .... 175
Radio Bincrya, Masohi, Maluku Tengah
114
E ko Sulistyanto : Failed to make the editorial room
Radio Rana, Namlea, Pulau Buru
117
pre sentable
176
Kabar Maltlkll
120
Ade \Vahyudi : Surprised how far . . v. e've come
177
iv
Waves of Freedom
Ging Ginanjar : T uteng and the Rengasd engklok kidnapping ..
179
Epi logue ............ ........................ .. .. .. ....... .... .... ... .. ....... 185
Foreword
A Challenging Transformatio n
Faisal BaslY'
185
A Friend in the T ransition towards Democracy b\' : lchlasul Amal Chair, Pn:ss Counc il
E nsuring that democracy manages to pass through a tran sition period likc this is the biggest challenge of all for refo rm ac ti,-ists and supporters of democracy_The experiences of several countries show that transfor mati o n from an authoritarian po litic al ~ystem
to a democracy invariably mean s going through a period
of deep uncertainty. Unc ertainty over where it is all head ed. Therefore, democratic fo rce s mu s t be consciou s of the irnpo rtanc e o f being o n gua rd again st shifts in directio n, which m a~'
even turn full circle back towards an authoritarian
sy~ ll. m.
One kc\' element in this is the mass media. The media is a pill ar o f democracy. So, in this period of transition, alo ng with o th er elements such as p rofessio nal associations and NGOs, the m edia ha s the functi o n of democracy building. The finan ces, It: ga l en tity, and operations of media busines ses mu st be v
vi
Waves of Freedom
Foreword
vii
independent of the state. This precondition is especially
and operate radio and television statio ns supported financially
important in countries with a history of author itarian corporatism, like Indonesia.
by advertising sales. So, in many cou ntries that adhere to the
In this country, the state has built, organi sed, introduced
public broadcasters to provide information and influence the
licensing, provided funding , subordin ated and controlled all forms of community-based and professional orga ni satio ns
public. Sometimes, the private and public also influence each other
(including media unoffici all y financed and controlled by the
and produce a new media organisation hybrid . KBR 68H is one
governme nt) for the purposes of cooptation, repression and
such hybrid. This radio news agency is public radio in spirit, but
domination, rather than to regulate competition.
principles of democracy, private broadcasters compete with
receives funding from the market. KBR 68H has imbibed a public
However, as we all realise, soc iet y cannot be given an
service ethos into its programmes, but at the. same time has not
unlimite?, uncontrolled degree of au to nomy. While au tonomy
alienated the market. It would be difficult to imagine a radio
is necessary for democracy itsel f, there do need to be li.mi ts. Th ese
news agency like this relying on government funding because
limits are essential to preven't tensions so great that they interfere
legally, to be called public radio and receive government funding,
with the process of democratisation. The hyperactivity, persistent
th ere are certain qualificati ons. So, advertising and sponsorship
confrontation, and social ills such as corruption and bribery that
are the logical choice. The question is, from this market
are more and more becoming a part of society, could generate
perspective how can KBR 68H main tain its public service image?
despondency and apathy. This, in turn, might encourage state
How can it maintain its "Public Radio in Spirit" credo?
interven tion in the form of rules and regulations which have
In terms of its output, apart from journalism based
little to do with meeting the need for the public sector to improve people's welfare.
programmes, KBR 68H also allocates a very large portion to
So, what role should the mass media take in solving this
as Reformasi Hukum dan HAJ\I1 (Legal Reform and Human Rights),
dilemma? The behaviour and activities of people in a modern
Klil1ik Kesehatan (Health Clinic), Obrolal1. Ekonoml (Econ omic
democracy tend to be rooted in information that comes from
Cha t), Bumi Kita (Our Land), and Daerah Bicqra (Regional Voices),
the mass med ia, especially television, newspapers and radio. For
or the programme on education, Gum Kita, and even Salmtek,
years in many democratic countries, television and radio have
which discusses developments in scie nce and techn ology.
been public monopolies, owned by the state and opera ted by the
Programmes like these might be seen as having little commercial
ministry of communica tions or by a n indepe n dent state
yalue, as not having high ratings by market research sta ndards.
corporation. Initiall y, o nly in the United States were most
But KBR 68H survives, and gets listeners. Sometimes sponS'ors,
electronic media mvned and operated by private companies. But
too.
today, almost all democratic countries allow private firms to own
public education programmes. Examples include talk shows such
viii
Foreword
Wave s of Freedom
It would be no exaggeration to say that KBR 68H positions itself as a friend in the transition towards democracy in Indonesia.
ix
In the Broadcasting Mix,
KBR 68H is a Breath of Fresh Air
People get informati o n they need, and have the chance to participate in shaping this critical process of change. If that can
by : S. Sinansari Ecip
be main tained, a media like KBR 68H will be an important asset
\ ' icc Chai r, Indon esi;tll Broadcasrin g Commission
for the advancement of society.
LCCru.rCf at J Iasanuddin Univer sity and rhe U ni"ersir)" of Indonesia
The broadcasting world in Indonesia is in a state of
Yogyakarta, 23 March 2006
uncertainty. Not all radio and TV stations have the broadcasting licences required by Law 32/2002 on broadcasting. \'Iany of them ha,-e only been "licensed" by the loca l gover nment communications agency or monitoring agency, or by the governor. Others are pirate stations, with no licence whatsoever. The absence of clear regulations has been used by both sides, the government and the broadcasters. Governme nt Reg ulatio ns
Seven government regulations in implementation of Law 32/ 2002 were finally produced. Three of them more than a year ago, and four in November 2005. Many of their provlslons contradict the articles and spirit of Law 32/2002. Of course, t}lere was a reaction to these regulations. The Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KofJIisi Pe!lj'iarall Indolmia, KPf) imm ediately rejected them. The first three were sub1J1itted to
the Supreme Court for judicial review but, one yea r later, the
court had done nothing but form the panel of judges. In the near future, the KPI will also subniit the other four to the Supreme Court, also for judicial review. The stance taken by the KPI has the backing of Parliamentary Commission I, ciyj] soc iety groups , and individua ls. Th e
x
Foreword
Waves of Freedom
xi
commission wants these government regulations revised before
tbe need for diversity of content and ownership. The powers
they are implemented, whereas the go"ernment wants to
that be and th e authorities in Jakarta mu st not be allowed
implement them and then revise them if there are weaknesses.
monopolise the content and owne r ship of broadcasters.
This political pressure has no juridical implications, so the
1ndonesia is not Jakarta. Likewise, a fair national broadcasting
government continued to implement these regulations. The KPI
S\'stem, as mandated by Law 32/2002, is not guaranteed . The
objected and as a consequence they wer'e nor implemented.
strong remain in power. The powerful Jakarta TV stations install
to
The government seeks to control the broadcasting world,
relay towers all over the place, even though it is the local
which is why it is regulated so strictly. The most important form
communities where these towers are installed that are entitled to
of regulation is th e broadcasting licences issued by the ministry.
use the local frequency. They are allowed to work in cooperation
According to the KPI, Law 32/2002 states that licenses are issued
with big investors but the big investors are not allowed to use
by the KPI. "Administratively, broadcasting lic enses are gran ted
the entire frequency.
by the state through the KPI." (Article 33 clause 5). The state in
Big investors in Jakarta must work with small investors in
thi s case is taken by the government to mean the government.
regions that "have" local frequencies. They must establish
However, Law 32/2002 makes no mention of government
n etworks.
authority to issue broadcasting lic ences. The authority of the
That is more or less what KBR 68H does. Information is
KPI in this matter is defined in article 7, clause 3: "The KPI as
shared with gro up members. The public is strengthened and
an independent state institution shall administer matters to do
empowered. The regions are not Jakarta'S objects but they, like
with broadcasting." Therefore, saying that the state issues licences
Jakarta, are subjects too. More than 400 radio stations in 300
through the KPI means that the KPI issues broadcasting licences.
municipalities/ districts are members of the KBR 68H network.
Basically, the government does not want the Indonesian
More than 2,000 people have received training, and there are
broadcasting industry to have the freedom that the press enjoys
other forms of cooperation, too. There are eight million listeners.
thanks to Law 40/1999. A cabinet meeting when Megawati was
That's impressive progress in the chaos and legal uncertainty of
in power suggested that the broadcasting world "not be liberated"
the Indonesia broadcasting ind ustry today.
like the press. This policy has apparently been perpetuated by the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono governmen t, despite its frequent claims that democratic reforms are continuing, including, of course, reforms in the world of broadcasting.
Society must be protected
Regula tion of bro adcast content is necessary to protect societ~-
from damaging information, such as pornography and
Because of government intervention in the regulation and
yiole nc e. Negative br(ndcasts can affect the mind of the
control of the broadcasting industry, the KPI has lost the
individual. Society has to be protected from unbalanced
opportunity to protect the general public. This protection relates
information, for example reports about a candidate in a political
x ii
Waves of Freedom
Foreword
xiii
process (\Volfga ng H o ffm an-Riem, 1996: 272-280). rn Indo nesia,
info rmatio n need to be consid ered too. I t is not o nl y about the
such co ncern s are ·wid espread . T here is nor eno ugh pro tecti o n.
freed o m to co mmuni ca te, but also abo u t receiving som ethi ng
fr equ ency is commo nly O\vned, and ir mu st be us ed fo r rhe
that bas an intrinsic value to the recipients, en su ring that th ere is
comm.o n good, too. Broadcasting media are no t all owed
to
use
a balance of interes ts.
thcir freyuenci es purely for th eir own commercial inte rests. This mu st be given sp ecial atte ntio n.
Two Co n tro ls
U nlike th e print m edia, the wo rld o f broa dcasting is ahya)'S"
According to Stan L e Roy Wilson ,
to
prevent unc ontrolled
a target fo r regula tio n. This is be cause the prim me di a is o riented
freed o m o f the pre ss and broad casti ng th a t h as a n egative
to o perating acco rding to m arket fo rces, while th e broadcasting
intlu ence o n the public, the re are two main kinds o f control
indu stry is a part of the public sector, \-\' hich requires pro tection
needed: philosophical control and legal co ntrol. Phil osophi cal
and regula tio n . Since the 192 05 in E urop e, gonrnm en ts ha\'e
control o f the media is internal co ntrol o f the me di a, including
~cp a r a t el )'
an understanding of press theo ry and press and broadcas ting
fr o m th e telecommunicati o n s infrastructur e. Th er e are two
ethics . Include d in thi s co nc ep t are th e in te rna l rul es and
reaso ns why thi s regulati o n is n ecessar y, ac co rding to ] anb\"()ski
regulati o ns o f a m edi a in stituti o n. Legal co ntrol refers to the
(1992:23 5). I"i rst, regul ati o n is needed becau se of th e limited
various rule s used
number o f a\'ailable frequ encies. Seco nd , because of the powerful
the broadcas ting indu stry (\X!il so n, 1993: 49-73).
deemed tb at th e broad cas t m edia ne ed to b e regulated
influe nce the broadcas t media has on p eople.
to
limit th e irrespo n sibl e use of fre edom s by
Wolfgang Hoffman-Ri em (1996: 28 1), says that in principle
I n addition, r egula ti o n aims to fa cilit a te acc ess to the
there are two types o f regulation and control. T h e fi rst m odel is
br oa dc as tin g me d ium. With pr o per re gu la ti o n , o bj ec ti ve
called imperative regulati o n. Thi s typ e o f regulation takes the
information ca n be obt ain ed. It also fill s a gap by providing a
form of co nt rol o f conduct (ethical co ntrol o r codes o f co nduct).
medium that o ffer s a va riety o f info rmatio n oriented
Thi s typ e has to do with direct regul ation th rough guidelin es,
to
the public
int eres t (\X!o lfgang H offm an-Riem, 1996: rO -27 1).
reg uircm en ts, prohi bi tio n s, and related matt ers, viola tio n of
Co mp ared w ith o th er media, broa dcasting is seen as a sociall)'
which would attract direct p enalties. ] ': xa mple s includ e sa nction s
accepta ble medium . T he techn ology is such th ar it facil itates free
for nega t ive br o adc as ts contai ning , fo r exampl e, vio len c e,
public access
witchcraft , an d po rnog raph y.
to
broa dcas ts.
Anoth er reason fo r regulating bro adc as ting is visual co ntent .
Th e seco nd typ e is structur al
Co ntrol. In this mo del of regulation, the governm en t es tablish es
In auth o rit aria n and dem ocratic co untries alike, th ere is a need
a structur ed broad cas ti ng fr a m ewo r k tha t h as an indi rec t
fo r app ro priate regulati o n o f th e visual content o f broadc asts.
influ ence over the b roadcas ting industn' and o ther o rgani sa ti on s
B as icall y, c omm u nica to r s h av e the ri g ht
free d o m of
related to the broadc asting secto r. In thi s way, certain stand ard s
co mmunicat io n , but th e ri g hts of the r e c eive r s o f th a t
can be set, including stan dards relating to basic financi al stru cture
to
xiv
Waves of Freedom
Foreword
xv
and types of funding, or special rules can be made concerning
The content of broadcasts also needs to be regula ted in the
the organisation o f the broadcasting industry or the proce dure
form of rules established by the KPI pursuant to the provisions
for establishing and managing the broadcasting industry.
in La\\' 32 / 2002. Violation of the se programme standards may
E ver y media needs rules. Rule s, in principle, are made as guidelines of what is needed, wha t is prohibited, and for how
lead ro a warn ing or even to withdr awa l of the perpetrator's broadcasting licence.
things are done. Rule s regu late a situa ti on for the purpose o f
O n j\Iarch 14, 2006 in Jakarta, a code of journalistic ethic s
security, propriety, efficiency, or appropriateness. According to
\\'as introduced to replace the code of ethics for I ndonesian
the German phi losopher, Immanuel Kant, rules are divided into
journalists established in Bandung in 1999. Th e code also ap plies
two. First, constitutive expression, or r ules that allow human
to
thought and action to make pre-interpretati o ns in certain ways
Council has the final say on breaches of the code, and journalist
about the world, through constitutions, exp lanat ion s, or
orga ni sations and/or th e media company where the jo urnalist
ill ustrations ba sed o n the soc ial rea lity. Generally, these
work s are expe cted to imp ose the necessary sanctio ns.
constituti on s imp licitly require u s to und ersta nd existence, ~ta nd ards
journali sts employed in the broadcasting industry. The Press
La\v 32/2002 d oes it self contain se ctions th at contain
by which things are measured, and relation ships.
warnings on broad cast content. Fines and imprisonment are the
Second, regulative expression. These regulate social behaviour
penalries for contravening these provisions. Unfortun ately, the
within a structure. They generallv set standard s or sanctio n human
polic e have not take n action against TV sta ti o n s that have
acti\city in some way. This type of regulatio n is more formal and
commi tted breach es. The police should not wait for a complaint,
expli cit Games Lull, 2000: 75-76).
but take direct ac tion against the perpetrators. The KPI, in th e near future, will be forwarding complaints from the public to
Indonesian Regulations Indonesia already had the 1997 broadcasting law. But because its co nten t was not in keeping with the general fee ling emerging at that time, it was replaced by Law 32/2002 on broadcasting.
the police, in the hope that th ey will be processed through the courts. Yen' few radio sta ti o ns have committed breaches of the Guidelines for Broadcasters and Programme Standards, so the
Law 32/2002 exp li citly assigns the task of making regulations
KPI does n ot monitor radio stations continually, as it does the
on the co nduct of broadcasters and the content of broadcasts
big TV stations in Jakarta , which are monitore d and reco rded 24
to the K PI, givi ng birth to wha t is known as the Guidelines of
hours a day.
Broadcasters and Programme Standards (P 3-SPS).
Th e media has ver y broad positive and negative imp acts.
The conduct of br oa dcasting station crew need s to be
Th e negative imp acts can be minimised. Duping listeners is a
regulated in a code of ethics (P3). The code sets out what they
form o f violence, as is encou rag in g con sum eris m th rough
are and are not allowed to do.
pnwocatin advertising. Ther e can be mass mobilisatio n of radio
xvi
Foreword
Waves of Freedom
xvii
broadcasts for political purpos es, for example during election
the\" le,1se Clre us ed for th e good, th e int erest, ;"lnd the enj oy ment
campaigning. These are just some examples.
of the public. \\'hcn it come:; to content, K BR 68H trie s
The heterogeneity of radio listeners requires radio station
to
gi,·e listen ers
managers to be prudent, including about the content of their
the ilJ forma tion th ey W;"l nt. The intere sts o f gov ernme nt ph:' no
programmes. Our ethnicities number m ore than 100, with
part. Th e public int erest is foremost. It is tru e
different religions, and a variety of customs and cultures.
601 I is public radi o il1 spirit.
to S;l\'
th a t KER
In prioriti zing il1fo rmCition in radi o bro;"lcicClsls. the basic
Need to be Friendly
principles of journali sm dicta te th
The important role played by media in society has promoted
accura tC, cl ear, bal an ced. tru th ful , and sinc ere. If in for ma ti o n is
a great deal of discussion about what the media should do and
not all that becau se o f goyernment intervention , the K1'1 cannot
how to regulate them . Action has been taken in some countries,
hop e
notably tne United States, including the draftin g of formal laws
br o
LO
prot ec t the public. The better th e qualit\· of r
by legi slators and the establishment of technical standards for broadcasting media. Radio broadcasting associations typically have a code of ethics. Rul es made by memb ers of the industr y itself in the inrerests of the profession are generally selt-enforced. Limits set in the common interest to ensure the quality of its products. There are also the internal rule s of individual radio stations. These only apply internally. The aim is the same, to ensure that listeners are comfortable with the content of broadcasts. In the broader context, Article 28E of the 1945 Constitution, among o thers, recognises th at everyone has the right to fr eedo m of thought (clause 2) and expression (cla use 3). Thi s constitutional guarantee is very valuable for Indone sian society in terms of communicating, especially as Article 28F establishes ev en m ore explicitly, that, "Everyone ha s the right to communicate and have acce ss to information ... " Access to radio broadcasts is guaranteed by the Constitution and, by the same token, radio station managers must ensure that the frequencies
J
1
U
A beginning
tan Kayu, the end of 1998. Not long after the fall of the authori tarian regime, we had
to
rethink our action
options. Afte r being locked in a long, dark tunnel; now
an air of freedom allowed people to choose felt like a luxury
to
to
see alternatives. This chance
some democracy activists, who by
force of circumstance were used
to
exerc ising only one "option",
which was to struggle fo r the fa ll of the regime. That is what it was like fo r the people who got together and were active at U tan Kayu. For more than four years this community had run, for the most part, a clandestine operation to promote the free flow of information. Flouting the censors by publishing magazines without a licence, getting round the need for a publishing licence by producing books rapidly, providing journalistic training for enthu siastic campus reporters, organising discussions and art performances. This community was at the pulse of opposition against the repressive N ew Order regime . People created, took risks, and lived in the Utan Kayu Community to fight for freedom.
2
A Beginning
Waves of Freedom
3
And, when freedom arrived all of a sudden - faster than
rough sketch showing the network we wanted to have when
expected - it was greeted with apprehension. Should we continue the clandestine media operations? Or should we go above ground,
production of news files began. Wie just jumped in with both feet. Working and learning,
in keeping with the spirit of openness? What if the tide turned,
and playing too. With just one clear goal in mind: delive ring to
snatched back this freedom, after we'd surfaced? Memories of
radio stations good
friends imprisoned, abducted, or living in hiding, were still fresh
news products. And
in o ur minds. Would distributing magazines without a publishing
indeed, masses of time
license still be necessar y, now that the licensing institution
and
once an instrument of government con trol - had disappeared
focused on producing
from media vocabulary) These were some of th e topics being
quality radio news. So simple was the plan that we gave no serious thought to
discussed by media activists in the Institute for the Studies on
e nergy
were
For years, radio stations were not allowed to produce their own news.They had to relay news from the government radio station every hour of the day.
Free Flow of Information (ISAI), a key component of the Utan
the name of the organisation that was taking shape. One evening
Kayu Community.
in Kedai Tempo - an outdoor cafe that is the most refreshing
ISAI decided to create a new programme: a radio news
spot in the Utan Kayu Community - I was sitting with our newly
service. \\lith this programme, open cooperation with mainstream
recruited radio reporters. Just six of us. After a long discussion
media could be institutionalised. Radio was chosen because it
about news themes and production issues, we got round to the
was seen as the media sector least able to take up the opportunities
question of a name. What would the organisation that served
offered by this new fr eedom. For years, radio stations had not
the radio stations be called? That name would be mentioned in
been allowed to produce their own news. They we re simply
each piece of news produced as a form of accountability.
required to relay news from the government station almost every
Someone suggested, "Let's just call it 68H." The name 68H came
hour of the day. It is hardly surprising that the capacity of radio
from the address where our small studio was located - Jalan
journalism lagged way behind that of other media. It was natural
Utan Kayu 68H, Jakarta. No one objected or had suggestions
too, that this independent news service from ISAI was warmly
for other names. So, KBR 68H it was. The first news was sent to
welcomed by radio stations. And it transformed into a radio news
radio stations on April 29th, whic h then became the date of
agency - an institution previously unknown in the media world
KBR 68H's anniversary.
in Indonesia.
In Indonesia in 1999, there were around 700 pri\Oa te radio
Pioneered seven years ago this radio news agency, KBR
stations, besides the government-controlled stations. But during
68H, was not conceived of grand ideas. We had no blueprint for
the more than 30 yea rs of authoritarian rule, a mountain of rules
a news office. The initial concept of this news communication
and regulations he ld back the growth of these private radio
mechanism I scrawled on the back of an old envelope. Just a
stations. They were not allowed to produce ne,vs independently.
4
5
A Beginning
Waves of Freedom
In fact, they were o blige d to relay government versions of the
srati()n~ u sed o ur programmes, today more than 430 statio n s relay
news 18 times a day. Radio journalism skills were sorely lacking
tbem. This "cry rapid expan sion is proo f that there is demand
as a result, eve n though in tran sition towards democracy, in a
for KBR 68H prog rammes, ami that m anagers of radio stations
pluralistic so ciety spread over such a huge geographical area,
in Indonesia ha\'e faith in th e qu ali ty of our programmes.
radio can actually playa very important role. That is why we
seycral radio srations in olh er p arts of Southeast ~'\ s i a , too. Radio
decided to get involve d in developing radio journalism, together
sra tions use d to get K BR 68H programmes fre e o f charge , but
building the capacity of this sector, and meeting pe op le 's need
now they afC will ing to pay a fc c to sub sidize the news agency's
for information. Especia lly th os e with limited access
productio n tosrs. See Chapter 2: 1....::fIlJlorkiJlg.
to
/ \.5
do
Financial independence is an important issue th at nee ds to
information. To begin with, KBR 68H produced only short news items
be addressed. It is hard to prove o urseh-es as an ind epe nd ent
(30-60 seconds long), and di stributed th ese to network m embers
and reli a ble ne ws ag enc y unl ess we are also fin a n cia ll y
via the internet. But then as o ur capacities grew, th e programmes
ind e pcndent. Our n ews age nc ;' was started with financial
became more varied. Each day, KBR 68H now produces eight
ass istance from various organisations, such as th e .\Jedia
hours of radio prog ramme s of various kinds. More o n the se
Development Loan Fund, Th e ~ \ sia Foundation, Open Society
programmes can be found in Chapter 3: Public Radio in Spin·t.
In stitut e, Free Voice, and th e Neth erlands E mbassy. Bu t we
Distribution via the in te rnet turned out to be e ffective only
realise only roo well that as sistance o f thi s kind is only tempo rary,
when the programme s were few in number and short in duration.
and that it wi ll come to an end . In the meantime, operati ng
This method proved impractical when K.BR 68H began producing
costs continue to ri se. Our journ alists haw swe lled in number
longer programmes. A 30-minute current affair s package, for
from just six to more than 100, in~lu din g corre sp ondents. Th at's
example, would take network members in Sulawes i and Nusa
not
Ten gg ara eight hours to download . B y th e time it was
affairs, general affairs, and m arketing.
downloaded, the news was too stale for the radio. That's why
TO
menrion staff in other departm ents, such as tedmical
Th e m os t difficult test for us is going to be
to
mantain KBR
KBR 68H started exploring the possibilities o f using satellite.
68H as a public broadcaster, while relying on th e marketp lace
'IIie learned to improve on th e technology we used, an d the ways
CO\'er our op erating costs.
ou r rep orters worked. More about technology is discu ssed in
n;\'c nuc comes from collabora tin: prog rammes with various
Chapter 4: From Di.rpatc!1 Rider to Saje/lite.
organisations. See Chapter 6: TlJe
Still learning, and getting better, KBR 68H staff were driven
to
At prese nt, mo st of KBR 68H 's Jo~~a/
:VItJI"kt-1.
Be sid es concentrat i ng on producing gualit y r ad io
This commitmen t was reflected in the
prog rammes, KB R 6R II also ca res about develo ping th e skills
Improvement in prog ramm e quality, which sparked a po sitive
of radio journ aljsts in i ndon esia. \X'ilh this in mind , we run
res ponse from net\"ork m embers. If to start with only 7 radio
training programmes aDd have publish ed books on broadcasting.
to move forw ard.
6
A Beginning
Waves of Freedom
7
See Chapter 5: Training and Frainillg. These fill a fairly larg e
towards open democracy. KBR 68H is their frie nd, a part of the
vacuum in human resource development in radio journalism.
transition towards a better Indonesia. f. v"ry day, more than 8
KBR 68H also cares about opening access to information in
million listeners rune into KBR 68H broadcasts. Most are waiting
remote areas. \'{!ith support from various quarters, we have set
for newS.
up radio stations in places even the government never thought of going. Sec Chapter 7: To the Ends
0/
1/;1: COlfll/I]"
And on its journey, KBR 68H has been witness
to
many
incidents in thi s country, including disa~ters. The earthquake and tsunami drew KBR 68H into activities in r\ceh, from reconstructing radio stations left in ruins and distributing radios to the local people, to building \\"c1ls with m o ney don ated by listeners. T he year following the tsunami was for us a time of closeness
to
Aceh. See Chapter 8: Rising Above the TstII1tIJ11i.
Although KBR 6811 ha s been busy sourcing financial support from the market, our public radio spiri t has not been allowed to falter. See Chapter 9: TmnsjorllJa/i()l1: From N CO to Media Bmimss. We are oriented to se rving the public; that is not negotiable. When there were no media a ble to serve the two religious communities engaged in conflict in Maluku, KBR 68H was there, working with radio s tations in both Muslim and Christian strongholds. We were a source of information that both sides li stened to. l\nd, independence is just one of our pillars. We exisr in a society that is moving towards democracy, towards a society that has greater respect for human rights, and that is tolerant of difference s. So, KBR 68H also takes on the task of promoting respect for human rights, pluralism, and peacefu l resolution of conflicts. Today, KBR 68H programmes are broadcast to lis teners from Sabang to .\ [erauke. They are a part of the changing Indonesian society, one shifting from the repression of au thoritarian rule
Edit0l7a/ staff
plalllling
lIeJJ'S
topics
2
A
Networking
lctter from Jambi. From the new breakaway district, Tanjung Jabung Timur, which had very poor access to ·nformation. The sender of the letter was a transmigrant
hailing from East Java, who took the initiative to set up a private
radio station there. He wanted the station to grow and to become a member of the KBR 68H net\vork so that the local people would have access to the latest information. He wrote: "Basically what I want is a way of keeping the station I set up alive in Tanjung Jabung Timur, where people thirst for information." Two days after that letter arrived in Jakarta, radio listeners in Tanjung Jabung Timur were listening to programmes from KBR 68H. Another time, a request for cooperation arrived bye-mail. The sender was the manager of a community radio station on Derawan Island in East Kalimantan, who was involved in nature consen-ation on the tourist island. He wrote: "Some time ago, we sent a letter to 68H, asking about the possibility entering into a broadcasting partnership. Would it still be possible to KBR 68J J J1ftJriqllar/lrs, at .fa/all N!l''' 68H
'bal flll'lolIJ{Jrp/}(md iI/to {/lr DtJlI
9
10
Networking
Waves of Freedom
11
fo llow up on that plan?" We replied by mail, saying that of course
country.to the other, from Sabang to Merauke, from Kupang to
it would be no problem. We 'd be happy
Manado. In all of Indonesia 's major cities, there are radio stations
to
oblige.
On yet another occasion, a short text message came from a friend. He wrote: "There is a reall,' dynamic small radio station in Flores. It's called R Cllf,:n
}{;'l i ll ii "S
F.Y!' They want to join the
that are part of the KBR 68H network. The KB R 68H network is used not only to spread news from Jakarta
to
the regions; it is also an effective medium of exchange
KBR 68H network." He immediately texted the contact address
b etween r egions. News
of the radio station. And, in no time a t all, we had contacted the
produced by Radio DMS
manager of the radio station
explain about KBR 68H
Am b on,
fo r
example,
programmes, how the partnerships worked, and so on. Usually,
th roug h
the
K BR68H
to
in less than a week, we have signed a partnership agreement.
The KBR 68H network facilitates the flow of information between communities. Strengthens Indonesianness.
network can be heard by
So the KB R 68H network grew, and reached out towards the
lis teners in Aceh, Jombang and Kendari. And likewise, radio
far flung corners of the archipelago. If to begin with expanding
listeners in Ambon can get information from other regions. In
the network was more a case of us seeking out members, now it
short, the KB R 68H network fac ilitates the flow of information
i~
between communities. Strengthens Indonesianness.
a Q.,vo-way thing. Sometimes we receive requests to join the
network from radio stations that we've never even heard of. Like the ones in Jambi, East Kalimantan and East Nusa Tenggara.
This is possible thanks to the participation of network radio reporters. If at the end of 1999, only 11 or so network members
The KBR 68H network has grown rapidly since we started
were regularly contributing news items, by the beginning of 2006
distributing information by satellite. At the end of 1999, only
around 120 were doing so. These include reporters from Banda
around 130 radio stations were using KBR 68H products sent
Acch, Meulaboh, Medan, Pekanbaru , Palembang, Sumedang,
via the internet (50 in direct partnership and 80 thro~gh a private
Bandung, Cianjur, Semarang, Yogyakarta, Solo, Surabaya,Jember,
broadcasters' syndica te in West Java). But since we started using
Singaraja, Makassar, Pontianak, Samarinda, T arakan, Manado,
satellite, more and more private and community radio stations
Palu, Paso, Ambon, Ternate, Jayapura, \'Vamena, Mataram, and
han.: been interested in entering into direct partnerships. At the
Kupang. The emergence of these new reporters, among other
end of December 2000, the network had almost 200 members,
factors, has been promoted by the radio journalism training
and 114 of these were receiving programme, via satellite. The
sessions he ld in severa l regions, as well as by the incentives and
remaining 80 or so were accessing KBR 68H news via the
good work systems of the KBR 68H network.
in ternet.
This grO\;vth is not on ly quantitative, either. There have been
Today, there are 430 radio stations in the KBR 68H network,
unforeseen improvements in quality, too. For example, there are
spread across more than 320 districts and municipalities in 33
state radio (RRJ) stations that have joined the KBR 68H network.
provinces. These rad io stations stretch from one end of the
In the past, private radio stations had to relay RRI news. But
-
Waves of Freedom
12
Networking
13
now the opposite is the case, and RRl stations are allowed to
means that the number of listeners keeps growing, too; and that
relay news from private news agencies like KBR 68H. Also, there
is exactly what we hoped for when this news agency was set up.
are radio stations owned by regional governments that have
And the expansion will continue to the point where every
become members of the KBR 68H network. These include RPD
district has a KBR 68H network radio station. This goal is made
Soe in Timor; RPD Elide and RPD M(llIggarai in Flores; RPD
all the more challenging by the emergence of new districts. In
SUlJlba/pC/.., and Radio Sin/en/lie I·'oice in Simeulue di strict, Aceh.
2004, we posted advertisements in several provinces, inviting
These. government radio stations are important for spreading
radio stations in districts where we had no partners to join us.
information, because often they are the only radio station in the
These advertisements, for instance, were placed in local
area.
newspapers in provinces such as Aceh, North Sulawesi,
Is a national scale network like this not a recons truction of
Gorontalo, and East Nusa Tenggara. While in 1999 there were
the centralistic government radio station that existed during the
only 133 districts and municipalities in Indone sia, in 2006 there
time of the Ne\v Order? This is a question that often both ered
are more than 440. This expansion seems
us. Although KBR 68H was never intended to be centralistic, it
as a way of addressing the demands of previously neglected
nonetheless has the potential to be so. For this rea so n, KBR
regions. So the number of provinces and districts will keep
68H began making contracts with network radio sta tions on a
growing. And so will the KBR 68H network.
voluntary basis. If both sides feel the y stand to benefit, the contract can go ahead. If o ne side feels they are being forced into partnership, it certainly won 't last for long. There are at least three advantages for the network stations: 1) They get good news programmes, which if they produced themselves would be very costly. 2) They have the opportunity to broadcast their coverage
to
the four corners of Indonesia.
The contributions of the se corre spon dents are also vital to preventing KBR 68H from becoming Jakarta-centric. They receive payment for news that is broadcast. 3) If advertisements are aired during a programme or outside the KBR 68H package, the radio gets a share of the fees. Network members are also able to make the best use of KBR 68B as their marketing representative in Jakarta. \\"ith thi s kind of partnership scheme, the number of KBR 68H network members keeps growing; which
to
be becoming a trend,
Cl
c :.;;::
Ql
~ Z
",..
. •
•
., , 1of
&
I)
~
1\ •
.. • •
,.
•
'OJ
'"
'"
\::" -...;: .~
}C
...::;,
~
-::;" "'c
0:::
"C
~., ~
....
16
Networking
Waves of Freedom
tolerance is one of the functions o f the media. So, that day, we
Not all plain sailing backgrounds - from Islamic boarding school statio ns to church
had no choice but to lose a network m ember. Unfortunatc:l\', thi s was to happen again. In 2005, after the
stations, from community radio
commercial r adio - is
Indone :,- ian Li lamas Council issued a fatwah oudawing secularism,
obviously not without problems. One day I received a phone
liberalism an d pluralism, pre ssure on a group of young Mu slim
call from the owner of a radio station, a KBR 68H network
actiyi s ts , Jaringan I slam
member in Lampu ng. In shrill tones he demanded to know why
Liberal UIL) , in te nsified.
KBR 68H had aired a public service advertisement that he fel t
Some of the residents in the
would offend IVfuslims in his city. I had no idea as to the basis of
yicinity of U tan Kayu voiced
his claims. Bur I sympathised with hi s concerns, and tried to
their oppositio n to JIL, which share s office space with KBR 68H .
understand.
They also demanded that we sto p bro adca st ing our re gular
Building a network of members wit h such di verse
' .
17
to
We believe that promoting tolerance is one of the functions of the media.
After talking for some time, I realised that the
Thursday slot, "Religion and Tolerance'.'. We invited members
advertisement he was talking about was a KBR 68H production.
of the local community to discus s the problem, and they came
The advertisement was made without any advertising
to
sponsorship. \Y/e were just concerned th at listeners be more
was no need to stop airing it. We even invited the pro testors to
tolerant of religions o ther than their own. The advertisement used sounds associated with particular religio ns. For example,
come and talk at KBR 68H. The tension with the residents eased, although there are
the sound of Hindu s praying, the sound of the bedttg - the drum
still some who want JIL out. As the b anners that sub se guently
used to call Muslims to prayer - and the sound of church bells.
appeared in the vicinity of the KBR 68H office testified. This
The problem for him was: why did the church bells drown out
contro,-ersy received wide medi a coverage. Some n etwor k
the sound of the bedttg? That was blasphemous. Hey, that hadn't
members grew anxiou s. One memb er in Jakarta decid ed to
even crossed our minds. The sounds were made to overlap, just
withdraw from the KBR 68H network, because it did not want
for artistic effect. It sounded good.
to be asso ciated with JIL. We could do nothing to prevent it. We
understand what this programme was ab out and why there
But even when I explained all this, the caller didn't want
were sad to los e a netwo rk memb er. Bu t we were relieved to
to know. He said that his radio station would gui t the KBR 68H
ha\'e got thro ugh th e crisis without compromising our ba sic
network th at very day if the advert was not wi th drawn. I told that the advert had been well received by li steners in Ambon
principles. .\nd the loss of network members has not o nl y bee n due to
whe n it was still being battered by religious conflict. So, we would
the sensitive content of broadcasts, such as religion. On another
be disinclined to withdraw the advert. We believe that promoting
occasion, a KBR 68H network member in Central Java guit
~im
becau se we aired an advert tha t was "anti-militarism". This
18
Networking
Waves of Freedom
19
advertisement was sensitive because it was aired in the run up to
marketing. For eyer), advertisement or sponsored programme
the 2004 presidential elections. A radio station in Cilacap was
aired, KBR 68H shares with the network an amount decided by
the target of protests by supporters of Susilo Bambang
the client. Not all members automatically get a share, it depends
Yudhoyono, and eventually withdre\v from the KBR 68H
on what the client wants too. Billions of rupiah are distributed
network. Although we sent a letter exp laining that KBR 68H
to network members each year; the proceeds from joint
was responsible for the advertisement, the protestors continued
programme marketing. In return, KBR 68H network members care deeply about
to target the local radio station. Network broadcasting, it turns Out,
means sharing responsibility. But the saddest of all was the bad news we got from our
the fate of their hub. Because the y feel that they own the network, they
toO
get concerned if they don't hear enough advertisements
network member in Masohi, Central Maluku, on New Year's Day,
in their programmes. That's why not many KBR 68H network
1 January 2000. In the early hours of the morning, Radio DMS
members minded when the y had to start paying monthly
was burned to the ground by a mob. A victim of the religious
subscriptions. Network members realise that to produce news,
conflict there. All the station's equipment was consumed by the
KBR 68H requires substantial financial suppor t. We introduced
flames. Even the building. Only the people were able to save
the system of subscriptions in early 2005, and got po sitive
themselves. The hopes of maintaining plurality at the radio station were blown away by mob violence. Radio DMS staff had to watch
support from the network members. Now in its seventh year, KBR 68H continues to work to
their own backs, and were segregated as a community split along
improve its services to network members. One facility introduced
religious lines.
this year is a soft loan scheme. These loans are given to stations
I t took a few years to rebuild the station in Masohi. The new
that need capital to improve their performance. There are, of
station . is called Rtldio Binqya, after a famous mountain that the
course, procedures and criteria for obtaining a lo an. We hope
people of Central :Lvfaluku take their bearings from . Hopefully,
that this ~upport will provide an alternative so lution to the
Radio Bil10ya will be able to help orient its listeners, to prevent a
problem that small local radio stations have getting bank loans.
recurrence of the violence in the name of religion that once
We truSt the recipients to repay their loans on time, because this
des troyed it.
will give other stations in the network the chance to get loans, too.
Growing together Unlike other groups that build radio networks based on shared ownership, KBR 68H has no desire to meddle in the ownership of the net\vork stations. KBR 68H is basically a joint broadcasting network. But this has since also developed into joint
This small revolving loan fund for the media could be an unprecedented breakthrough in Indonesia, maybe even in Asia.
20
Networking
Wa ves of Freedom
Not only in Indonesia
21
from Radio BeeIJive. Fo r eight h ours a day, the y meet up with
The KBR 68H netwo rk quickly expanded overseas, too. With our new dream of asserting the news agenc y's position as a
listeners through another radio station. The year 2006 began with terrible bl ow for our colleagues
began looking
in Cambodia. The Hun Sen government cracked down o n the
for partner sta ti o ns in As ia. One way we did this was through a
opposition, an d arrested CC HR's president, Kern Sokha, and the
weekly English lan guage
director of VOD, Pa N guo n Teang. Fortu natel y, pressure from
relia ble source o f radio ne\vs in Asia, in 2004
news Calling.
pr og r amm e, T oday,
Asia rhis
programm e is aired in E ast
\ YC
Today in Indo nesia, we don't just listen to foreign broadcasts. We contribute to the global information row.
within Cambodia a nd from th e internati o nal co mmunity persuaded Hun Sen to change his mind. These democrac y and human right ac tivi sts were freed about two weeks after being
Tim or, Cambodia, and the Philippines. As well as being broadca st
flung in jail. This means our fri ends have been able
in English, the program me is also transla ted into local la nguages
developing V OD broadcas ts , including Asia Calling. We are proud
in Cambodia an d th e Philippines. In the near future, A sia Callil({l,
to
sho uld be broa dcast in l\.fghanis tan , Pakista n and Th ail an d. Foreign media confidence in KBR 68H news is growing. KBR 68H now contributes to New York's Democracy' programme, and to
to
N OiJ)
radio
KPF/I in San Francisco. These are in addition
series of KBR 68H programmes used in the past by foreign
radio stations, includ ing Radio Nederlalld, Deutsche [Velie, VOA and SBS, Austr alia. This gr ow th shows th at, give n en o ugh freedom, Indonesians can be active players, not just consumers, in the globa l flow of info rmation. Today in Ind o nesia, we don't just li sten to fo reign broadcas ts. \'\ie contribute to the globa l infor ma tion fl ow. O ur m os t inten sive overseas collaboration is wi th T'oice oj
Democracy in Camb odia. This orga nisatio n was similar
to
KBR
68H when it sta rted ou t. Set up as a human rights NGO called
CCJIR, Voice oj Dell/ocl'aCY' gre\v rapidly thanks to the p ositive public resp onse to its programmes. VOD still doesn't have its own radio statio n because the gO\·ernrrient is reluctant to grant' thcm a frequenc y. At the moment they are still leasing airtime
to
continue
have a network o f friends that extends all the way to Cambodia.
-22
NANGGROE ACEH DARUSSALAM Freauency Radio Station 101 .30 FM Dalka FM 107.6 FM Matahari Fatali FM 101 FM Seha (Seunang Hatee) 107.8 FM 101 FM Rapeja 105.60 FM Megaphone 98.1 FM AS FM 88.9 FM SIT FM Tasfa FM 95 .60 FM 104 FM Citra Pesona 104.8 FM Xtra FM 104 FM, 810AM Amanda Rasisonia DB 99 FM 99 FM Nakata 900 AM 98.4 FM Getsu 105.10 FM Andy1a FM 1368AM Sonya Manis 106.10 FM Gipsi FM Nara FM 103.3 FM Pro FM 99.9 FM Simeulue Voice 97.9 FM Smong 98.7 FM Vina Vira 101 .10 FM 103.50 FM Adyemaja 104.40 FM Prima Tanwir 107.6 FM 106 FM Nikoya
Meulaboh, West Aceh Meulaboh, West Aceh Blangpidie, Southwest Aceh Jantho, Aceh Besar Lamno, Aceh Jaya Sigli, Aceh Pidie Sigli, Aceh Pidie Tapaktuan, South Aceh Kluet Utara, South Aceh Subulussalam, Aceh Singkil Gunung Meriah, Aceh Singkil Takengon, Central Aceh Kutacane, Southeast Aceh Lhoksukon, North Aceh Bireuen Matangglumpang Dua, Bireuen Bireuen Langsa Nagan Raya Sabang Sinabang, Simeuleu Sinabang, Simeuleu Lhokseumawe Lhokseumawe Banda Aceh Banda Aceh Banda Aceh
NORTH SUMATRA Radio Station Kisaran Suara Seruni Alpalah Ropades FM RSPD Asahan Barisan Nauli Tuah Suara Murni Q FM Belmera RBK FM PAS FM Carana FM SBB MASS
City Kisaran, Asahan Tanjung Balai, Asahan Indrapura, Asahan . Kisaran, Asahan' Sidikalang, Dairi Lubuk Pakam, Deli Serdang Patumbak, Deli Serdang Tanjung Morawa, Deli Serdang Kabanjahe, Karo Rantau Prapat, Labuhan Batu Pangkalan Berandan, Langkat Pangkalan Berandan,Langkat Panyabungan, Mandailing Natal
citY
!
'I
No. 28 29 30 31 I 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
23
Waves of Freedom
KBR 68H NETWORK MEMBERS
No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
Networking
Freauency 100.10 FM 1314 AM 105.30 FM 90.2 FM 1224 AM 945 AM 90 FM 91.20 FM 9905 FM 102.4 FM 100.30 FM 102 FM 101 FM
41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 'in
Aldino I-'erkasa Nias Mitradharma Soara Pusuk Buhit Yudha FM Sonya FM Pasopati RAU FM Citra Parapat Boss FM Suara Sibolga
-- ,T SUMATRA No. Radio staUon 51 Dharma 52 Harau Megantara Angkasa 53 Ohara 54 Pasaman FM
55 Mandala
56 SKA
57 Citra
58 OK FM
59 Carano
60 Lita
61 Jelita
62 Jam Gadang
63 Suara Subuh
64 Padang FM
65 Boos
66 Dian FM
67 Bahana
68 Gita Cendana FM
69 Ariel
70 Gapilar Rasisonia
No. 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80
RIAU Radio Kilas Nara Jingga Swara Prima Andalas BBC Putra Buana Perawang Star Malaka Q FM Gress Soreram
103.35 FM 94.90 FM 94 FM 98.70 FM 10660 FM 8920 FM 105 FM 104.4 FM 102.8 FM 1013 FM
Panyabungan:l'Vfandailing Natal Gunung Sitoli, Nias Samosir, Toba Samosir Binjai, Binjai Medan Medan Padang Sidempuan Parapat Pematang Siantar Sibolga
City Frequency 98.7 FM Gunung Medan, Dharmasraya 10060 FM Harau, Lima Puluh Kota 88.8 FM Pariaman 1019 FM Pasaman Barat 97.9 FM Painan, Pesisir Selatan 103.6 FM Sawah Lunto - Sijunjung 96.20 FM Koto Baru, Solok 94 .6 FM Alahan Panjang, Solok 95 FM Batu Sangkar, Tanah Datar 95.60 FM Bukittinggi 103.9 FM Bukittinggi 102.3 FM Bukittinggi 94.30 FM Padang 102.60 FM Padang 104.2 FM Padang 97.8 FM Padang Panjang 100.2 FM Padang Panjang 106.1 FM Padang Panjang Timur 105.70 FM Payakumbuh 97FM Solok
Frequency 100 .5 FM 104.7 FM 100.6 FM 1044 AM 1046 FM 107.20 FM 93 FM 100.30 FM 105.80 FM 95.1 FM, ~044 AM
City Tembilahan, Indragiri Hilir Rengat, Indragiri Hulu Bangkinang, Kampar Bagan Batu , Rokan Hilir Perawang, Siak Dumai Dumai Bengkalis, Duri Pekanbaru Pekanbaru
I
24
Waves of Freedom
RIAU ISLANDS
-No Radio
81 Gema Bentara 82 Kei FM 83 Iguana FM
uana
Frequency 107 FM Batam 102.30 FM Batam 88.60 FM Tanjung Pinang
CitY 104.4 FM 98.5 FM 1062 AM 103.4 FM 98.65 FM 103.4 FM
JAMBI
No. Radio 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95
BHP Irma Nada KGS Suara Merangin RSPD Sarolangun Prima Angkasa Kelapa Indah RSPD Kuala Tungkal Suara Tanjung Jabung TImur Idola Dira FM Manggis -
Frequency 648/WJ 97.5 FM 1305AM 100.8 FM 864 AM 102.5 FM 837/WJ 104.10 FM 99.8 FM, SW 97.6 FM 103.70 FM 104.30 FM 96 FM
citY Muara Bulian, Batanghari Muara Bungo Sungai Penuh, Kennei Bangko, Merangin Sarolangun Sarolangun Kuala Tungkal, WestTanjung Jabung Kuala Tungkal. WestTanjung Jabung Dendang, East Tanjung Jabung Rimbo Bujang, Tebo Jambi Jambi
96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104
Artha Nusa Indah Setiawana Nadanusa Gita Buana Suara SK FM Rapindo Utama Namora Delta Flamboyan
eItang, Ogan Komering Ulu Timur Lubuk Linggau, Musi Rawas Pagar Alam, Pagar Alam Pagar Jaya, Pagar Alam Plaju, Palembang Palembang Watervang, Lubuk Linggau Lubuk Linggau
BANGKA BELITUNG
No. Radio 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132
Debar FM AKS Duta Citra FM Dideva Ozone DMP Fame
City
Frequency 100 FM 102.5 FM 101.3 FM 102.5 FM 103.8 FM 103.1 FM 101.2 FM 101.9 FM
Belinyu, Bangka Muntok, West Bangka Muntok, West Bangka Toboali , South Bangka Koba , Central B,angka Manggar, West Belitung Tanjung Pandan, Belitung Pangkalpinang
Frequency 104.50 FM 765 AM 100.7 FM 666 AM 102.3 FM 107 .1 FM 89.9 FM 102.7 FM 99.2 FM 103.90 FM 92.10 FM
City Liwa , West Lampung Kalianda, South Lampung Kalianda, South Lampung Bandar Jaya, Central Lampung Sukadana, West Lampung Citybumi, North Lampung Dayamumi , Tulang Bawang Bandar Lampung Bandar Lampung Rawasari, Metro Rawasari , Metro
LAMPUNG -
BENGKULU
No. Radio
25
Networking
No. Radio FrequencY 103.70 FM 1098 AM 97.2 FM 1152 AM 104.7 FM 101.2 FM 1188 AM 99.3 FM 105.9 FM
Manna, South Bengkulu Manna, South Bengkulu Arga Makmur. North Bengkulu Ipuh, Mukomuko Curup, Rejang Lebong Kepahiang Curup. Rejang Lebong Tais, Seluma Bengkulu
Frequencv 100.55 FM 756 AM 846AM 10590 FM 1026 AM 1521 AM 106.1 FM 1116 AM 97.9 FM 98.7 FM 774 AM 1013 FM
City Pangkalan Balai, Banyuasin Lahat Tebing Tinggi, Lahat Tanjung Enim, Muara Enim Tanah Abang, Muara Enim Sekayu, Musi Banyu Asin Simpang Periukv Lubuk Linggau Prabumulih Prabumulih Prabumulih Timur, Prabumulih Lempuing, Ogan Komering "ir Belitang, Ogan Komering Ulu
City
133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143
Mahameru Dian Rajabasa Prima FM Denbang Pramudya Mas Mandiri Maskara Andalas Rasubha Kartika Suara Seruni Bikarama
SOUTH SUMATRA
No: Radio 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116
SIP FM Rajapaksi Lolita Suara Agita BukitAsam FM EN J Musi Citra Atlas Dian Bahagia Sentosa ADBC Penlas FM Mitra Jaya Vania FM
JAKARTA
No. Radio 144 Ulan Kayu ~5 ,RPK
Frequency 89.20 FM, 603 AM Jakarta 96.30 FM Jakarta
City
BANTEN ---- ..
lHO~ Radio 146 147 148 149 150 151 I
Swara Angkasa 72 Swara Adhi Kusuma Krakatau Arjuna Panorama Banten FM
Freouencv 558 AM 90.60 FM 93.7 FM 100.4 FM 93.3 FM 95.30 FM
Citv Pandeglang Pandeglang Labuan, Pandeglang Malingping, Pandeglang Lebak Cilegon --
.........--- 26
Networking
Waves of Freedom
angerang Ciputat, Tangerang
No. 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181
WEST JAVA Radio Actari ADS Budaya Sari Bost RJM Rudysta RCM Antares NBC Cinde FM Ewangga RIS 99.8 FM Fantasi 70 Trend Venus Jusyan Buanajaya Mara Barani JAS Elpas Maritim Gita Swara Suara Gratia AR- FM Ria Pop FM Past Way Bintang
-
Frequency 96.70 FM 101 FM 936 AM 89.4 FM, 864 AM 91 .9 FM 89.9 FM 104.90 FM 98.60 FM 105 FM, 882 AM 101.3 FM 91.4 FM 99 .8 FM 93.1 FM, 1557 AM 101.2 FM 104.90 FM 92.7 FM 94.10 FM 106.70 FM 1116 AM 90.7 FM 1170 AM 102.60 FM 99.1 FM 95.9 FM 92.9 FM 103 FM 106.9 FM 99 FM
City Ciamis Cikampek Majalaya, Bandung Leuwiliang , Bogor Pangandaran, Ciamis Ciamis Kalipueang, Ciamis Garut Garut Indramayu Kuningan Majalengka Jatiwangi, Majalengka PUlwakarta Subang Sumedang Ciawi, Tasikmalaya Bandung Bandung Banjar Bogor Cirebon Plumbon, Cirebon Cirebon Cimahi Depok Tasikmalaya Tasikmalaya
-
194 Prima 195 Rassinda 196 Pop FM Gombong . 197 Bimasakti 198 Citra FM 199 Rona 200 Candi Sewu 201 POP FM Kudus 202 Gelora FM 203 GSM 204 Pragola 205 PAS FM 206 Amarta 207 Alfina 208 SBS 209 Pop FM Purworejo 210 R2B 211 Rasika 212 Pop FM 213 Serenada 214 RPK FM 215 RGM 216 GIS 217 POP 218 Polaris FM 219 SSP 220 Yasika 221 Zenith 222 Top FM 223 Channel 99 224 Ria FM 225 PTPN Rasitania 226 Rama 227 Anita FM
,
-
CENTRAL JAVA
No. 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192
Radio Maung Sakti Satria Channel 100 RGBS Aro Moneer X FM Kasihku Wijaya FM Qolbu STP 97.5 FM Qolbu
Frequency 810AM 103.9 FM 100.2 FM 92.3 FM 972 AM 9920 FM 936 AM 102.60 FM 792 AM 97.5 FM 900 AM
City Banjarnegara Ajibarang , Banyumas Banyumas Purwokerto, Banyumas Batang Blora Bumiayu, Brebes Cilaeap Kroya. Cilaeap Cilacap Demak
....
820 F Purwodadi, Grobogan 104 FM Jepara 1314AM Karanganyar 95 FM Gombong, Kebumen' 9660 FM Kebumen 99.7 FM Kendal 100.6 FM, 900 AM Kendal 96.60 FM Klaten 93.7 FM Kudus 107.1 FM Kudus 91.50 FM Muntilan, Magelang 94.30 FM Pati 101 FM Pati 88.9 FM Pekalongan 89.3 FM Pemalang 94.7 FM Purbalingga 93.4 FM Purworejo 98.4 FM. 1296 AM Rembang 10560 FM Ungaran , Semarang 107FM Kartasura, Sukoha~o 97.70 FM Tegal 103.1 FM Parakan, Terrianggung 1017 AM Ngadirojo, Wonogiri 94 FM Wonogiri 98 FM Kalikajar, Wonosobo 101 FM Magelang 10380 FM Pekalongan 91.5 FM P~rwokerto 97.2 FM Salatiga 89.4 FM Semarang 99.30 FM Semarang 98.80 FM Surakarta 99.60 FM Surakarta 666 AM Surakarta 106.60 FM Tegal
YOGYAKARTA
.: 228 Global FM 229 230 231 232
~
Masdha FM RAM Swara Menoreh Unisi
27
City
Fr8quenCY 107.6 FM 89.35 FM 100.50 FM 107.5 FM 104.50 FM
]
Banguntapan, Bantul Depok, Sleman Wates; Kulonprogo Samigaluh, Kulonprogo Yogyakarta
EAST JAVA
~ 23J , Mandala. '.....\0
I
FrtCluency 96.40 FM IBanYUwan~i
CRY
'1
28 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 '257 258 259 260 261 262
'
Networking
Waves of Freedom
TawangAlun Patria FM Bass Romantika FM Elbayu Prosalina Gitanada Kartika Taurus Sega Prameswara Swara Semeru FM RASI Maja FM Megantara Bhmneka Cankabhala Gema Panca Arga Swara Karimata Permai Gema Surya Cahaya PMA Bhasa Pesona 2000 ADS Jossh Andika Andalus Global EI Victor
92.1 FM 102.60 FM 96.60 FM 98.60 FM 954 AM 101.30 FM 97.4 FM 89.00 FM 97.1 FM 89.6 FM 103.9 FM 90.70 FM 90.60 FM 100.70 FM 972 AM 747 AM 882 AM 100.2 FM 97.5 FM, 1440 AM 107.5 FM 1442 AM 93.10 FM 774 AM 88.1 FM, 1044 AM 103.50 FM 105.70 FM 91.10 FM 90.90 FM 93.30 FM
Banyuwangi Blitar Bojonegoro Bondowoso Gresik Jember Jombang Jombang Kediri Kediri Lamongan Lumajang Magetan Mojokerto Nganjuk Ngawi Pacitan Pamekasan Ponorogo Sampung, Ponorogo Kraksaan, Probolinggo Situbondo Sumenep Trenggalek Tulungagung Kediri Malang Surabaya Surabaya
.
.ST KALIMANTAN . -.
~--
277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287
RCBI Andini Swara Devia
Mars
SBI Swara Media Eska FM Gema Nirwana Gema Wana Prima Suara Kaltara
Beo Persada
FnMI\IenCY
CItv
104.2 FM Tanjung Redep, Berau 106.50 FM Tenggarong, Kutai Kartanegara 98.5 FM Nunukan limur, Nunukan 97FM Penajam, Penajam Paser Utara 10210 FM Balikpapali 101.3 FM Balikpapan 103.9 FM Kotif Bontang, Bontang 105.1 FM Samarinda 102.5 FM Sangana, Samarinda 101.25 FM Tarakan 107 FM Tarakan
CENTRAL KALIMANTAN 288 289 290 291 292 293
294 295 296 297 298 299
Riwut Malawen Barito FM Citra Barito Sartika Granada Tara Indah Pakuba Megaprimadona Nada Persada Gema Mentaya RCA Ozon Canisa Es Pe FM
104.60 FM 100.50 FM 105.80 FM 102.3 FM 96.7 FM
Buntok, South Barito Tamiyang Layang, South Barito Muara Teweh, North Barito Kuala Kurun, Gunung Mas Kuala Kapuas, Kapuas Pangkalan Bun, West Citywaringin Pangkalan Bun, West Citywaringin Sampit, East Citywaringin Palangkaraya Palangkaraya Palangkaraya Palan kara a
SOUTH KALIMANTAN
FI'8QU8IIC:Y
WEST KALIMANTAN
No. RadIo
FnIqU8IICy
263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275
105.45 FM 90.7 FM 101 .25 FM 100.4 FM 738AM 1044 AM 93.4 FM 104.6 FM 100.9 FM 936 AM 104.10 FM 103.40 FM 101 FM 102 FM
Sentranusa Gapa t=M Delta Pawan Indah MahCity Gemaswara Swara Melati Gramedia Rama Gentara Muare Info Swara Sambas Bimareksa Dirgantara Dermaga Ria Persada Polareksa FM Volare Kenari ~ Arya Bomantara
City
3DO 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313
Bengkayang Putussibau, Kapuas Hulu Ketapang Ngabang, Landak Mempawah, Pontianak Sungai Pinyuh, Pontianak Pemangkat, Sambas Sambas Sanggau Sekadau,Sanggau Sintang Pontianak Pontianak Singkawang - -
'- -
Swara AI Karomah Selidah FM Gema Amandit Dirgahayu Gema Kuripan Radio M Tanjung Pun Perkasa Ellona Swara Ruhui Rahayu Citra Bomeo Madani Nusantara Suara Banjarmasin Planet FM Gema Meralus
1584 AM 98.8 FM 918AM 100.2 FM 810AM 107.1 FM 106.50 FM 87.9 FM 88.8 FM 103.9 FM 102.70 FM 104.3 FM 102.8 FM 756 AM
City Martapura, Banjar Marabahan, Barito Kuala Kandangan, South Hulu Sungai Barabai, Central Hulu Sungai Amuntai, North Hulu Sungai Martapura Tanjung, Tabalong Kelua, Tabalong Rantau Kiwa, Tapin Banjarbaru Banjarmasin Banjarmasin Citybaru, Pulau Laut Utara Batulicin, Citybaru
29
30
IID.: 314 315 316 317 318 319 320
Waves of Freedom
Networking
...
BALI
F
Pinguin Guntur Bali FM Oirgantara SWIB Global Outa FM ~1 ~uperadio_ _ _ _ _
~
103.6 FM 104.60 FM 98.9 FM 94 FM 702 AM 96.50 FM 87.95 FM 105.2 FM
CitY Denpasar, Badung Singaraja, Buleleng Gianyar Negara, Jembrana Besakih, Karang Asem Tabanan Oenpasar Oenpasar
322 323 324 325 326 327 328 329 330 331 332
FrtQuency City 103.2 FM 93.7 FM 105.80 FM 88 FM, 684 AM 1008 AM 792 AM 95.10 FM 96.5 FM 98.30 FM 96.7 FM 95 .10 FM
Pelangi Bima Kanvas FM Haccandra Mandalika Kharisma Idola Oisvira FM Cassanova Mayapesona Global CNL
Bima Oompu Narmada, West Lombok Praya, Central Lombok East Lombok Pan cor, East Lombok Sumbawa Besar, Sumbawa East Lasaune, Bima Mataram Cakranegara, Mataram Lombok, East Lombok
EAST NUSA TENGGARA
110. la.Ho 333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343
Ratu Belu Favorit Suara Kelimutu The Farmers Radio Malole Kalong RSPO Manggarai Santana Sonia Max RPSO Soe 344 DMWS 345 Tirilolok 346 Suara Timor
Frequency City 106.50 FM 98.20 FM 101 .5 FM, 1185 AM 98.5 FM 106.7 FM 106 FM SW1 2.86 Mhz, 101.3 FM 94.9 FM 102.9 FM 96.9 FM 738 AM 103.5 FM 101.10 FM 90.1 FM
Atambua, Belu Atambua, Belu Flores, Ende Ngada, Flores Baa, Rote Ndao Lembata Ruteng, Manggarai Bajawa, Ngada Maumere Waingapu, East Sumba Soo, Timor Tengah Selatan Kupang Kupang Kupang
NORTH SULAWESI
No. RadIo 347 Nur Haddad 348 Sion FM 349 Re - Fata FM
RONTAlO
flo. Radio
WEST NUSA TENGGARA
lID. Iblilii
~ [lJevada 351 StarFM 352 Suara prorodisa 353 Gita Lestari 354 Visi FM 355 Mersi 356 ROM 2 FM 357 Citra
FreQuericy
CI~
100 FM Citymubagu, Bolaang Mangondow 106.7 FM Tomohon, Minahasa 96.25 FM South Minahasa
358 Erchi FM 359 Smek FM 360 Swara Selebes
93.6 FM 100.5 FM 89.6 FM 105.60 FM 106.4 FM 98.5 FM 102 FM 96.90 FM
31
Amurang, Soulh Minahasa Tahuna, Sangihe Talaud Talaud, Sangihe Talaud Bitung East Bitung, Bitung Manado Manado Manado
Freauency City 90.3 FM Marisa, Pahuwato 95.5 FM Gorontalo 101 FM Gorontalo
ENTRAl SULAWESI
FreQuel1CY' City
;vi, RadIo 361 Sich FM 362 Setia Nada 363 Istana 364 Ariesta Swara 365 Swara BuJa Betue 366 Balasika 367 Sakura 368 Bulava 369 Langgadopi 370 Swara Magaga 371 Bittara lodah 372 Maleo 373 Nebula 374 Best FM 375 RAL
104.30 FM 1440AM 101.10 FM 102.2 FM 99.1 FM 100.2 FM 103 FM 101.30 FM 101.2 FM 1422 AM 1341 AM 95.4 FM 101 FM 101.80 FM 1170 AM
1
Luwuk, Banggai Luwuk, Banggai Banggai, Banggai Kepulauan Oonggala Oonggala Kodi, Oonggala Kolonodale, Morowali Parigi, Parigi Moutong Poso City, Poso 'Tentena, Poso Toli Toli Toli Toli Ampana, Tojo Una Una Palu Palu Palu Barat, Palu
WEST SULAWESI Suara Mamase 377 Swara Saweri Gadinq
SOUTH SULAWESI -
- -
No. Radio 378 379 380 381 382 383 384
Pantai Selatan Mitra Bayu Suara Oaya Indah Cempaka Asri Swara Paonta Lopi Rewako Suara Tomalatta
Frequency City 95.4 FM 1116 AM 104.4 FM 102.65 FM 95.5 FM 100.4 FM 99.2 FM
Bantaeng Bantaeng Kotif Watampon, Bone Bulukumba Bulukumba Sungguminasa, Gowa Wotu, East Luwu
l !
-32 385 386 387 388 389 390 391 392 393 394 395 396
Networking
Waves of Freedom
93.3 FM 720 AM 882 AM 89.5 FM 1008 AM 87.7 FM 738 AM 102.3 FM 864 AM 103.5 FM 102.8 FM 103.6 FM
IZIP FM Suara Simpali Angkasa Bambapuang Molina Suara Adyafiri SCFM Rina Bestari RST Suara As-Adiyah SPFM Mesra FM Makara
Maros Pinrang Pangkajene, Sidenreng Rappang Sinjai Sopeng, Walan Soppeng Sorowako Rantepao, Tana Toraja Rantepao, Tana Toraja Sengkang, Wajo Makassar Pare Pare Palopo
423 424 425 426 427 428 429 430 431
Extreme RBS Puistika Bumi Mimika RSKA ART FM VOP
105.50 FM 102.3 FM 96.9 FM 702 AM 105.1 FM 100.2 FM
Biak, Biak Numfor Merauke Nabire Serui, Yapen Waropen Tmika, Mimika Timika, Mimika Jayapura Jayapura Jayapura
WEST IRIAN
iii· I~
SOUTHEAST SULAWESI 397 398 399 400 401 402 403 404 405 406
432 Merbau 433 HMS 434 Matoa
Frequency City
No. Radio Cakrawala Techno ' Gema Suara Buton Gema Kendari FM Gema Gersamala Swara Nirwana RWS Gelar 09 Lawero Swara Alam
94.5 FM 91.10 FM 97 .8 FM 92.40 FM 1080 AM 102.5 FM 102.5 FM 96.2 FM 100.2 FM 99.1 FM
Bombana Bau-Bau, Buton Pasar Wajo, Buton Watu-watu, Kendari Kolaka Tinanggea, South Konawe Raha, Muna Raha, Muna Bau Bau Mandonga, Kendari
435 ELMarko
MALUKU
No. Radio 407 408 409 410 411 412 413 414
Frequency City
Rana Buru Binaya Resthy Mulya Gelora Tavlul MCSA Defnatar DMS Naviri
103.7 FM 104.6 FM 92.5 FM 88 FM 93.5 FM 102.6 FM 102.7 FM 92.5 FM
Namlea, Buru Masohi, Central Maluku Banda Naira, Central Maluku Tual, Southeast Maluku Dobo, Southeast Maluku Saumlaki, Southwest Maluku Ambon Ambon
NORTH MALUKU
Frequency City
No. RadIo 41 5 416 417 418 419 420 421 422
Pertiwi FM RSPD Buana Lipu SPB Swana Perjuangan 95 FM Sanana Gema Hikmah Diahi Surya
,
104.6 FM 100.4 FM 103.6 FM 107.2 FM 95 FM 103.4 FM 102.6 FM 100.2 FM
Bacan, South Halmahera Bacan, South Halmahera Tobelo. North Halmahera Tidore, Kepulauan Sula Sanana, Kepulauan Sula Santiong, Temate Tabahawa, Ternate Tidore, Tidore Kep.
I
Frequency City 89.2 FM Bintuni, Teluk Bintuni 102.5 FM Fak Fak 102.6 FM Manokwari 98 FM Sorong
33
34
Networking
Waves of Freedom
Fruita of fr....om
35
to relar foreign broadcastS. It's not like the New O rder era, when
The regulations on broadcasting were made on the basis of
radio stations were fo rced to relay RR1 news broadcasts up to cleven
excessive concerns about ciyi l liberties. And, it is very obviouslr an
times a day. Partnt:.rships today grow fro m a mutual need. Radio
effort by those who seek to regain government control of the
and teleyision stations in Indonesia will not t:nlc::.r into partnerships
broadcasting world. President Susilo Bambang Yudo),ono, who pu t
with the forei~n media if it is o f no bencftt
his signature to Governmc: nt Rt:gulation No. 50 on pnYa te
viewers. Local broadcasters must take iora account the people they
b roadcasters, an d th ree othe r go\"ernment regulations on
serve. They would never allow their media to become a tool of
broadcasting, consciously or otherwise has revealed a paranoia. Fear of freedom of information. Even though it is that freedo m that
foreign propaganda. So exactly whose interests are at risk? No one's. Unless this
has brought progress and prosperity to many nations.
government, like:: its predecessors, is allergic ~o crit icism and
The paranoia is particularly evident fro m the government's ban
to
their listeners or
on relaying foreign news broadcasts (Government Regulation No.
different opinions. With today's technological de\'elopmems, closing one's door
50, article 17 clause 5) . Minister Sofyan Ja}il claims that private
on the world is nOt an option. The countries that are developed and
radio or television stations that relay foreign news could become
powerful are those whose citizens believe in openness. And, the
tools of foreign propaganda. He is concerned that our national
principle openness that we recognise is far morc advanced than
identity and our national interests are threatened. How members
that of neighbouring counmes, such as !\falaysia and Singapore. So
of the United Indonesia Cabinet who in their election campaigns
they should not be set up as examples. We don't need to emulate
supported the reform agenda could still bold to such conservative
these undemocratic countries when
ideas is a complete mystery.
It
comes
to
broadcasting.
This u ndue concern also hamp e rs opportunitic:s for
These concerns are totally unwarranted. The majority of the
developing the capacides of our own CItizens. This gov$!rnment
content of news broadcasts relayed by our radio and television
regulation may s.eek.. to protect the local broadcasting industry. But
stations from overseas, is aired in Indonesian. The programmes are
it has been proven that on: riy protective policies fail to enhance
.made by Indonesian journalists who work in the foreign media.
our competitiveness on the· global free market. Excessive protection
Most are good. highly professional journalists. So it is hard to
encourages our society to be inward looking. Scared even to think
imagine these people becoming the tools of foreign propaganda.
about competing on the wider stage.
'We belic·vl! the journalists working in these fore ign media are s~ owing,
in their own war, their love of their country. They are not
comprlldors. And their work is not propaganda.
Yet the democracy we have carved out over the past seven years has shown unprecedented success. In tctms of freedom, not only do we have choice; we have put ourselves on a par with others.
Another aspect of the partnt:rships between these broadcasting
I have personal experience of this. In 1999, I and several journalists
companies is free will. Radio and television stations are not forced
and activists set up KBR 68H. This broadcasting organisation
36
Networking
Waves of Freedom
37
provides radio stations journalistic programmes. To begin with, only
One standpoint holding back the development of private
to local radio stations, but as the quality of thc programmes
broadcasting companics is the ban on national coverage. RRl and
improved and gained public rccognition, forcign broadcasting
n ./Rl will have the monopoly on national broadcasts. This attitude
organisations began using KBR 68H services,
These include
is harmful to everyone concerned. RR1 and TVRI lose out, toO,
H i/lom",/} C\!t!tht!r1ands),
because tbe~' have no competition to motivate thcm to perform
DtIItscbe [fe/Ie·
(German~ ") ,
SHS
(Au~traJia),
tOO.
and f,·'OA (United States).
better. T his government regulation effectively fails to allow for the
This means that, thanks to freedom, we can bracket ourseh'es with other countries. In broadcasting sen'ices,
development of private radio or tele,-ision news agencies. Because
Now, local radio
a healthy news agency must develop the widest possible network.
not only relays the ncws products of foreign broadcasting
But this regubtion limits nehvork coverage to 15% of districts for
organisations. foreign broadcasters use products from local
radio and 80% for television . No grcater.
tOO.
broadcasting companies, too. The exchange of information is more in balance, the perspectives richer.
Returning to my experience of managing KBR 68H. Even before its seventh anniversary, this news agency was serving more
And that is not all. Over the past hVO years, KBR 68B has
than 420 radio stations in 300 plus districts. This could, of course,
produced an information package in English, called Asia CalJing.
be regarded as a violation of Government Regulation No. 50. But
This programme is no\\" aired by radio stations in Cambodia,
we have absolutely no intention of reducing this co"erage. KBR
Philippines, and East Timor. Besides Indonesia, of course. And,
68H intends to continue expanding its network,
very won, the same programmes will be broadcast by KBR 68H
in Indonesia. Because that is our contribution to strengrhening our
partners in Thailand, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
national ide ntity.
Once again,
to
cover all districts
because of freedom, wc need no longer bc confined, forcver
According to a MARS survey in the last quarter of 2005, no
blinkered. We are cyen ablc to cxport information programmes.
less than 8 million listeners throughout Indonesia rune into KBR
And bc outward looking.
68H program mes. Through these programmes, people share news
The government should support thc emcrgence of
that strengthens our solidarity as Indonesian citize.ns. Through talk
broadcasting companies from Indonesia that are able to compete
shows, I ndo nesian people from Sabang to Meraukc can exchange
on the global leyel. Even if wc aren't ablc to create organisations
views, discuss matters of importance in this difficult period of
like the RBC, DI/"', Hi/verslllll, or radio/television companies in other
transition towards democracy. This achie\-cment cannot be blO\vn
countries, the least the government can do is create conditions
away JUS t by an alarmist government regulation.
conducivc to the emergence of internationally competitive pr h'atc broadcasting companies. The new regulations on broad casci~g in no war contribut.e to this.
3
" 1<;
Public radio in spirit
R 68H programmes are made
to
serve the public.
To respond to the public's need for information. To r ovide forums for people to engage in dialogue,
participate in solving problems together. It would be easiest to call it public radio. But since the law dictates that only government radio stations are entitled to use that predic ate, we prefer to say that we are public radio in spirit. And, we accept commercial funding. So it really is a unique mix. We feel that radio stations that are public service in spirit are crucial to serving the public in this very dynamic and demanding transition towards democracy. Let's take a look at the first time we broadcast on 29th April 1999. That day KBR 68H reporters produced nine news items. One of them was about the upcoming general election on 7th June 1999. So, it was about five weeks before the first free election since the fall of th e New Order. We asked ordinary people what kind of parliamentary candidates they would like to have. The Be.rides fmR 68L-f, Ibm rlre all k.illds of otber lIrtil'ilies ,~oil~g 011 iii Ibis COllllllllllity. ..... 1 broar!castillgjIJ/lrt:aliJm sdwol, gpl/~J)', Ihealre, Clild lois of o/her ae/ili/iN /or/rccdolJl of l/toltgb/ tJlld e:>..prnfioll
report, written by Eni i\Iulia, o ne of the first reporters recruited
39
40
Waves of Freedom
41
Public Radio in Spirit
to KBR 68H, was quite unique, because at that time people's
the current party leaders fits the bill "[ still call ~ see - n'eI/ ill the 3
opinions were rarely made public.
or 4
"'0/01' p{/rties -- till)' p eople Ivith st{/teJ/1l{/lI.ihip qualities.
art pllo}le j;'Ol71 the
Sell!
IVhat [ Jee
Order .fchoof - politiciallJ iI'ho p,ioriliJe tbe
polilifd! il/lfnst.r of their OIVII factiollJ. "
990429-68H-ENM-Ol \Vhat kind of representatives "'ould you like to see
Thi s pessimism about the parliamentary candidates is
In
parliament? \Vhat do you expect from these members of
sha red by ReTI journalist Dian Islamati: "I-We
parliament? \,\'e are starting to hear questions about what makes
e_,,/>cni'llfe t/lat Ihe HOllse of RepreJflltalil'es iJ jllJt a (bom.r lim.
a good member of parliament or legislati\"!:: candidate more
II-'ilb Jbe {)'Jtem the Il'a), it
fre(luently as we near the election. Let's hear what some people
tbe !egirlati/'e candidates of JOf1le of tbe political parties are o"b stalldillg
have to say about our MPs.
for thou partiCIII"r parties beCallJf thefre intere.rled in the one billioll
"{f I could t'ote, I wOlild t'ote for all hOliest (wd sincere persoll
"'till)'
frolJl Bill
I dOll't !Jold Ollt milch bope. For installce,
IJllt. "
Becallse the Jitl/tltion has got
ror this reason, lslamati can't see ideal candidates emerging
c/cl'er people doillg too milch talkillg, thol ln
for about another 10 years. Once political education and
rather tha" the clel'erpeople we't-e got so bad; there are too
pa)'
iJ~
kilO/Ii
1101P.
(ill jllst wd liP cOlljimd".
com mu nity empowerment start showing results.
Women too have high hopes for their MPs. Wahidah
To counter rhe pessimism about the quality of people's
Syuaib of the Indonesian Muslim women's students'
represe ntatives, Elyakim Sitorus ofJaringan Kerja Lembaga
association, Persatuan Mahasiswa Islam Indonesia Putri,
Pelaya nan Kristen Indonesia, a network of Indonesian
would like to sec people 's representatives that care about
Chrisrian service organisarions, has another suggestion. "A[)'
women; although it wouldn't be necessary for the representative
dream is tbat Olle dCI)' our le,gislatilJe IIIelllber.r 'Pi/fllot baPe to be elected
to be a woman. Syuaib is critical of presidential candid ate
through p olitical partieJ. Thal'.r something we ,/1 have to thi"k about:
Megawati Soekarnoputri, who although a woman does not
hal,illg people's represelltatil'eJ ill parliament and ill the le,giJ/atlire that
sympathise with women.
arc !luI IIUeU{IIia' elected throll.~h polilical partieJ. That alJo
"[Vome" aclil'istJ 1JJant a climax, thf)' lI)afit a ]lIOR/all mpresidential ca1/didate. Alld they l1}allt Ol(e t!Jat fights for
.~eIIder eqlfi~)I,
too. But
,Hega doem 't do that; ill fact sbe erw twds to disregard this ismc JOII/etimes, "
Gatot Prihandono of the pro-democracy group, Masyarakat Profesional untuk Demokrasi, would like to have multi-ethnic representatives who are really familiar with the regions they represent. But, as far as he can see, none of
II/ecJlIS
tbal
par/iflfllmt Ivollid be able to gil'e the partin Ihe (iJallee to nOll/inate cal/dido!.:... that are lIot party II,etl/ben"
roor now, Sitorus hopes that the elected representati\-es will han: a genuine grassroots following; that people know \\o·ho they are. So, what about you? \X'hat kind of representatives do you \\'ant? Think about it. (Eni Mulia, KBR 68H)
42
Public Radio in Spirit
Waves of Freedom
43
This report was sent via the internet to network members.
productions like Ka bar Bar" (Breaking Nc\\s) , talk shows on
They then aired it on their own radio stations. Actually, we had
themes such as la,v refo rm, eco no mic issues, and human rights,
no way of checking which stations broadcast it and which didn't.
and an arts appreciation programme. \'(/e also aired a pre-recorded
But as we started out with only 7 network members, we looked
talk show hosted by Wimar Witoelar called Perspektf BarN (New
on the bright side, and just believed that all of them had aired
Pers pectives). This o ne was
this audio file.
\vimar's brainchild, cr eated
In the early days, KBR 68H produced only around 15 minutes
after his TV talk show was
of programmes a day. These consisted of between 7 and 10 audio
taken off the air by the
files, which were sent instantly to network members . No
New Order authorities.
Although small, they provided the inspiration for dealing with this country's biggest problem: unemployment
deadlines. But the positive response fr o m network members
With the addition o f these programmes by 2000 as a radio
encouraged us to increase the amount of news we produced. W/e
news agency KBR 68H had upped its service, broadcasting 7
took on more reporters. And constantly re-evaluated our wo rking
days a week. In our first year, we still had Saturdays and Sundays
methods.
off. Then Kabar Bcml became a regul ar slot. This breaking news programme quickly caught on with radi o stations in several cities.
Breaking out Buletln Sore A giant leap in KBR 68H prog ramming came with the production of Bu/etin Sore, a 30-minute evening news bulletin.
Just five minutes long, it could be easily slotted into th eir programme schedules; and it co ntained information their listeners needed to hear.
We developed this programme in our first year of operation.
The pr og ra mme on law reform, Reforlllasi H lIklllll, is
Needless to say, that wasn't what we originally pl anned. We
produced in cooperation with the National Law Co mmis sion and
needed to accumulate expertise in radio journalism before we
The Asia Foundation. This programme was made to spread the
could even think about producing an information package like
concept of law reform and information about law reform
this. Before putting the plan into action, we had internal training
initiatives, which are seen as crucial in this period of transition
wi th a trainer from the BBe. We studied and we had hands-on
towards democrac y. Programmes o n law reform, human rights
practice. August 1999 saw the launch of the first production of
and economic affairs attract listen ers, not onl y because they
BN/efin Sore. Frequently unable to meet the 4 p.m. deadline, and
di scuss real issues, but also b ecause they give li steners th e chance
besieged by other technical problems, we were forced to find
to interact direc tly with competent experts. Listeners throughout
another way of sending news, one that did not rely on the internet.
Indonesia can call the KBR 68H studio on a freephone number
And indeed, after we started using sa tellite, ideas for creating
or send their questions in a text message. Using these facilities,
new programmes just kept coming. In 2000, we began stepping
during each 30-minute talk show, around 10 calls can be taken
up programme production to two hours a day, introducing new
from cities around Indonesia, such as Po ntian ak, i\1akassar,
44
Public Radio in Spirit
Waves of Freedom
Medan, Palembang, Surabaya, Matar a m, Kediri, P adang
Sampan Pagi (Breakfast Prog ramme)
Sidempuan, Palu and Poso.
Kopi Sore (A ftern oon Programme)
Guests on Rejor1l!asi Hukfllli have included Teten Masduki
O/abraga (Sports)
(lCW), Fr ans Hendrawinata, Harkri stuty Harkrisno\.vo,
/ 1sia Cal/ing
Suhadibroto, Boy j\Iardjono (KHN) and Arbi Sanit (UI). Carmel
Lintas Daerah (Around the Regions)
Budiarjo appeared twice on the human rights talk show during
Saga
her visit to Ind onesia. In the past, prominent activists like Carmel
45
Public education programmes include:
who campaign for the rights of the victims of the 1965 tragedy
RejorlJlasi HlIkJllll dan HA.iVl (Legal Reform and Human
we re banned from appearing in the Indonesian media. Now the
Rights)
door is open. The human rights programme has also featured
K/il1ik (Health Clinic)
Hasballah M. Saad, then State Minister for Human Rights. These
Daera/] Bicara (Regional Voices)
talk shows proved a favourite with listeners. Later, we introduced
BUl7li Kita (Our Land)
other themes, such as regional autonomy and the environment.
Obro/an Ekonol7Ji (Economic Chat)
The economic affairs programme, Obro/an Ekotl()llIi, was
A gatlla
dOli
To/cram! (Religion and Tolerance)
designed to encourage listeners to think of creative ideas for
Sainstek (Science and Technology)
dealing with the economic crisis. We showcased their inspirations,
Guru Kila (Our Teachers)
which, although on a small scale, dealt with this country's bigges t
Mitra Daerah (Regional Partners)
problem: unemployment. We published the transcripts o f Obrolan
Pi/ar Demokrasi (Pillar of Democracy)
Ekonomi in a book ca lled Tf(l7lbuh di Tengah Krisis.
The regional programmes include:
Kabar Ma/uku (lvIaluku News)
Three programme categories KBR 68H programmes can be br oadly divided into three
Kabar Ace/) (Aceh N ews)
Kabar Papua (papua N ews)
categories. First are the regular news programmes. Then there are the public education pr ogrammes or talk shows. Third, are
The tOtal duration of these programmes is aroun d 8 hou rs a
the programmes designed for specific regions to cater to their
day. Programmes are broadcast from the main studio in Utan
particular needs.
Kayu, via satellite, to listener s in cities across In donesia. In
The regular news programmes include:
addition, we broadcast around 10 hours of local programm es
BNletin Pagi (i\Iorning Bulletin)
especially for listeners in Jakarta and surrou nding areas. So, a
Bu/etin Sore (Afternoon Bulletin)
total of 18 hours of programmes are broadcast by KBR 68H
Kabar Bartl (Breaking News)
journalists.
46
Waves of Freedom
Public Radio in Spirit
KBR 68H Programme Schedule Time
OS .3O-ll6 .00 06.CX>06.30 06.JO.07.OO 07.00{)7.06 07.0f>.08.00 08.00-08 06 08,06-08.30 08.30-09 ,00 09,00-09.30
Monday
Tuesday
!wednesday I Thursday
I
The production department is headed up by a journalist and Friday
I Saturday I
Sunday
Time
~53O-ll6 00
Local Prograrrme
J.tmng BuIletJn Brealdasl Prograrrme Breaking News 07.00 B,ea\dast ?mgr, ,,",,,, Breakll19 News 06.00 Breakfast Prog ramme Interactive
local Programme
06.00{J6.3O 06.30-07. 00 07.00'()7.06 7.06.Q8 .00 oaOO-08,06
ioo[J6.08·3O
New 08.J0.09.oo Persuedives Health Local 09 .00-09.30 ~ R,,*,,,,, Regional Our Land Eo:Jr1Oi11IC H..- RighO Clin,c Voices Chat Programme 09.JO.l0.00 Sports 10.00-10.06 Srea king News 10.00 10.1)6.11.00 ocal"_ 11. 00-1H16 Breaking News 11 ,00 11.1)6.11.30 Local Programme Local Progra mme 11.30-12 00 Around the Keg lOl'lS Breaking Ne'.~ 12.00 12.00-12.06 12.1)6.12.30 Local Pr"'Jramme 1230-13.00 Local Program"" 13.00-1 3.06 Breaking News lrOO Local Programrre Interactive Interactive 1306·13.30 t.l3luku News Aceh News 13.30·14.00 lDcal~rtl9 ramme 14.00-14.06 Br.~ News 14.00 14 .1)6.14.30 Local Programme Local Programme 14.30-14.45 tAalUk uN. WS I Local Programme 14.45-15.00 15.00-15. 06 Breaking News 15.00 15.1)6.15-.30 local Prog ramme Local Programme 15.30-16.00 16.00-16.30 Afte rnoon !kJlIetin local Programme 16.30-17.00 Local Programme 17.00-18.00 l 0C31Programme Breaking News 18,00 18.00-18.06 18.1)6.18.30 Local Programme Local Programme 18.30'19.00 19.00-19.06 Breaklllg News 19.00 19.1)6.19.36 Local Programme LocatProgramme 19.36-20.00 Bre akllg News 20.00 20.00-20.00 20.1)6.20.30 Saga Pilar of Sdenca and Local l our I! Local 20.30-21.00 Democracy Technology Programme Teache" PrDgla."1!1le Breaking News 21 00 ~ 1.00·21.06 Local Proora mroo ~11)6.21.3O Aceh N...,; 1:1 130·22.00 I 22 .00·22.06 Breaklng News Locai PfogllIrnfIle 12206.22 36 Local Programme /22 36-23.00 Brea\i1g News 23 .00-23.00 Local Programme ~3.1)6.23 .30 Local Programme Even... News SlITImilry 123.30-00.00 r orum Freedom
I
I
09.3()'10.00 10.00-10.06 10.1)6.11.00 11.00-11.06 11.1)6.11 .30 11 .3()'t2.00 12.00-12.06 12.1)6.12.30 12.30-1 3.00 13.00·13.06 13.06·13.30 13.30-14.00 14.00-14. 06 14.1)6.1430 14.30·14.45 t4.45-1 5.00 t5.00-15.06 t5.1)6. 15.30 15.30-16.00 16.00·16.30 16.30-17.00 17.00-18.00 18.00-18.06 18.1)6.18.30 18.30-19.00 19.00-19.06 19.1)6.19.36 19.36-20.00 2000·20.06 20.1)6.20.30 2030-21.00 21.00-2 1.06 21.06-21 .30 21. 30-22.00 22.00-22_06 22.1)6.22.36 22.36-23.00 2300-23.06 231)6.23.30 23. 30-00.00
I
TIme
Monday_ l rlJl!S(ja\, JWednesday I Thursday
ASla Udlng (EngEsh) Asia Calling (Indonesian)
I
L~:~:! J
J
I,
I
I
47
Friday
_J. Saturday
I
Sunday
Time
old friend from the days of fighting against media repre,sion, Her u Hendratmoko_ His commitment and dedication have been instrum en tal in the growth of KBR 68H. And fortunately, over [he past senn years, KBR 68H has been a hotbed of growth for dedicated, high-calibre radio journalists_ KBR 68H is managed under th e leadership of programme manager Ade Wahyudi, while AliI Imam N urlambang is in charge of managing our local radio station, Radio U tan Kayu. At the end of 2005, Heru assumed a new role as President of AjI, an alliance of independent journalists set up during the time of Soeharto's authoritarian rule. A mandate he is committed to
carrying out, too, since the working conditions of journalists
in Ind onesia are deplorable_ The lmv wage s. The frequent risks to personal security. Th e incessant gnawing awa y of press freedoms. Which in some cases such as the mob attack on the
Tempo offices, or the introduction of regulations on broadcasting -
indicate the return of that repression. So a m,ovement to grow
a strong alliance of journalists is clearly needed_ At a tim e when press freedoms are not assured, maintaining programme quality is paramount. That is the commitment of the production department. Continually improving the quality of programmes_j\nd the good news is that, according to a MARS surYey conducted in N ovember 2U().5, KBR 68H listeners are satisfied with our programmes. Loyalty has grown _ Most KBR 68H listeners tune into our programmes for news . Others are looking for a forum to discuss issues with others_ They tune into th e talk shows _
48
Public Radio in Spirit
Waves of Freedom
Compos ition of KBR 68H News Listeners
Reasons for Listen ing to KBR 68H
16%
1.49%
9.45%
11.94%
.~
o Morning tjulletin 51.74%
r------......
• Brea king News
o Afternoon Bulletin o Around the Regions • News Summary
34.33%
o Sports • Asia Calling
o
To get information/knowledge
• To hear l ~tesUcurre nUbreaklng news
o
Other
Composition of KBR 68H Talkshow Listeners Favourite KBR 68H Programme Formats
6.47%
o
3.98%
Religion & Tolerance
• Chat with Ayu
3%
o
Health Clinic
o Around the Regions
34.33% Talkshows • In-depth reports
o
News
•
Legal Reform
o
Science &Technology
• Our Teachers
49
Waves of Freedom
50
Public Rad io in Spirit
51
The spirit of freedom flowed through the KBR 68H editorial
incredibly powerful. Mega put her whole heart into it, and had
office, generating creative ideas. Growing with the capacity of
to stop because she was sobbing so hard. So, \vhen Mega became
our journalists, taking shape in previously unthought-of creations
president, and continued the military operations in Aceh, we
of radio journalism. Whereas to begin with KBR 68H only
replayed that speech. Documentation reminds people to keep
produced short news programmes, within six months we were
their promises. Especially those that seek public office. And Sarapan Pagi, the
producing Billetill Sore, a 30-minute news bulletin. And it didn't Stop
the breakfast programme,
there.
Another milestone was the launch of the on-air magazine
IS
passionate
about
When Mega continued the military operations in Aceh, documentation served as a reminder to keep one's promises.
format programme, S arapa1l Pagi, which is broadcast Monday
documentation, about
through Friday, 06.30 - 09.00. The content of this prime time
strong research. This
slot for radio news stations in Indonesia is an analysis of the
programme provides a dynamic, rapid-fire start to the listeners'
day's news as reported in the daily papers. Radio amplifies the
day. Listeners want information, straight up, no messing. This
newspapers. And print journalists are key contributors to radio
programme also has a phone-in section, allowing listeners to take
broadcasts. So, the ch allenge for us at KBR 68H is to create a
part in discussion of public affairs. This recipe makes for an on
new programme for a prime time slot that is not just a rehash of
air magazine format quite unlike the prime time news
th e morning papers. The prog ramme has its own agenda, and
programmes of other radio stations.
the news is hot. Not yeste rday's news like the dailies serve up.
This on-air magazine has been deve loped too - especially
To design Sampan Pagi, we learned from how BBC Radio 4
for listeners in Jakarta - into Kopi Sore, an on-air magazine for
prepares the Tod,!)1programme. The team working the night shift
those caught up in the Jakarta traffic. Taking a more relaxed
overlaps with the presenters who start work in the morning. So,
format than Sampan Pagi, Kopi .)ore is just right for listeners tired
the support staff work for hours beforehand, preparing the topics,
from the day's work. Most people who work in Jakarta live in the
pre-recorded interviews, edited materials and ft:atures, and doing
satellite cities surrounding the capital. Two million people spend
what research they can. :--Jot onh' tht: text, but the sou nd, too.
an a\'erage of four hours a day commuting to and from work,
We are lucky that ever sinct K13R 68H \\'as st:t up we haYt: made
mostl~'
sound documentation in digital format \yhich is
cas~'
to scan.
This sound documenta tio n is vital. \Vi e once recorded a speech given by Megawati Soekarnoputeri in 1999, before she
gridlocked in the Jakarta traffic. Jakarta 'S appalling
transport makes for a poor quality of life. So we want to offer a radio programme that will keep listeners company and help keep their spiri ts up.
became president. During her speech, she wept as she talked
Next, we developed Saga, an in-depth, comprehensi ve
about Aceh. She said, "If Cut Nyak had been president, not one
journalistic programme. Reports on people, events o r
drop of blood would have been spilt in Aceh." This sp eech was
documentaries, never before tackled by radio stations in
52
Waves of Freedom
Public Radio in Spirit
53
Indonesia. \YJe pour ed our hearts, mone y and energy into
issue5 affecting the public; (d) co rrupti o n, that chronic disease
developing this programme. Saga is a 30-minute programme, aired
that ha s spread through the body of this nation, require s special
once a week. A shorrer, lS-minutc version is slotted into Sarapatl
attention. Th e war against corruption will neycr be won with ou t
Pagi every morning.
the conscious support of media managers.
Saga is a favourite of thos e who want to develo p radio
Armed with a clear proposition and news agenda, we try not get lost in the flood of events and opinion s that swamp the
journalism in Indonesia. And also of listeners who are looking
to
for in-depth information. T his programme has won international
editorial room.
awards. For in sta nce, for her work, "Keru suha n IvIei 1998" ("The May 1998 Riots"), f\yu Purwaningsih won an award from Th e International Federa ti on of Journalists (IfJ ) in a journalism
Joint programmes .As well as producing its own prog rammes KBR 68H also
On another
works with other organisations, especiall y to popularise the values
occasio n, Ayu picked up th e same IFJ award for her feature o n
of democracy, tolerance and pr ogress. A ,gall/a dan To/cram!, for
Indonesian women migrant workers.
example, a programme desig ned to pro mote religious tolerance,
competition on tolerance and pluralism in Asia.
To maintain the quality of KBR 68 H programmes, we se t a
is produced by KBR 68H in cooperatio n with Jaringan Islam
news agenda that befits our mission. To make sure that the
Liberal OIL). This programme has been well received by listeners,
reporting is n ot biased, that it presents a balance of current
although others have taken strong exceptio n and \vould like to
opinion, but yet is also directed by our vision . We realise that
sce it shut down . Acco rding to a 200S:-'LARS survey, the greatest
this media is part of the process of transition in Ind o nesian
proporti on (18.9%) of KBR 68H talk show li steners tune into
soc iet\'. A society that is moving from an authoritarian regime
A ,gaIlIC!
dall To/era/uj.
towards an open, democratic, and more civilized society. For this
Abo, in an effort to participate in election ed ucation , KBR
reason, we formulated an editorial proposition for our reporting
68H rolled out Dari Bilik Sliara, a special programme on th e
in the \.vords, "transitio n for the better". For the better - that is
general election, aired Thursd ays, 20.06 - 21.00. This mo nth ly
our compass, and the ethos of our reporting.
programme was produced in cooperation with the general election
Because these issues are so complex and broadcasting hours
monitoring committee, to discuss 2004 election viol ations. It went
limited, we have to make priorities, by focusing on the key issues
off air after the successful general election and direct election
of: (a) democr acy consolidation, fair, direct and sustainable
of a new president.
elections. We loo k at the importance of managing differences in
In 2004, KBR 68H launched a joint programme \\-ith
healthy, peaceful ways. Tol erance must be promoted, so that
Transparenc y Intern atio nal (Tl) Ind onesia, to promote the anti
pe ople become more used to livi ng with differences; (b) economic
corruption movement. Th e discus sions on KBR 68B revoh-ed
recm-cry, employment creation; (c) hcaltJ1, education, and other
around NlISa
G{-,"i;~
a sitcom o n corruption issues produced by
54
Public Radio in Spirit
Waves of Freedom
TI Indonesia. This talk show on corruption received an
Voice
of America (\lOA)
55
accesses KBR 68 H files for material
enthusiastic response from listeners, as this topic had been aired
for its reports. Journalists at KBR 68H are thrilled by this
some time before by TI Indonesia. In early 2006, KBR 68H
expansion, because it mean s we are not just consumers in the
developed another anti-corruption programme, this time in collaboration with Indonesian Corruption Watch. This talk show
free flow of information. We too have become active contributors to the global information
is called Sapu Bersih.
system. Thanks to freedom,
Another collaboration agreement was made on 8 August 2003 between KBR 68H and the then Minister fo r Research and
we can stand as equals with other countries.
Thanks to freedom, we can stand as equals with other countries. A contributor to the ~ow of information.
Technology, Hatta Radjasa, to develop a radio programme on science and technology. This one-hour programme went on air
Asia Calling
in September 2003. The purpose of this Tuesday night talk show
In August 2003, KBR 68H launched an Asian ne ws
is to popularise technological developments and interest listeners
programme in English, called A Jia Calling, which is broadcast
in science and technology. After being introduced to the KBR
weekly on Saturday mornings. The English version is sent to
68H network, today !ptek is relayed by more than 50 radio stations.
Cambodia, East Timor and the Philippines, where it is translated and re-broadcast in the local language. In the near future, this
A player In global information
programme should be aired in Thailand, Australia, Pakistan, and
KBR 68H is also a regular contributor of news to radio
Afghanistan. Asia Calli/~~ in Indonesian is rebroadcast by more
stations overseas, such as Radio SBS in Australia, Radio Nederland
than 80 radio stations across the country from Sumatra to Papu a.
in the Ne therlands, and DIP in Germany. As agreed between the
To produce this news about Asia, KBR 68H has built up a
editorial staff of the radio stations concerned and the KBR 68H
network of cor r espondents with around 20 journali s ts in
editorial team, the se programmes are produced in Indonesian.
countries throughout the region. They include regular
They are then sent via the internet or FTP, and broadcast via
correspondents based in Manila, Bangkok, Hongkong, Seoul, Dili,
their networks in Indonesia. In this way, KBR 68H expands its
Hanoi, Phnom Penh, and Beijing. They work under the
coverage to include radio stations that are not part of our
coordination of the Asia Ca/ling editor, a position held by a native
network.
speaker of English with experience in radio journalism. Thi s
OccasionaUy, we also fill requests from private radio stations
ensures the quality of the programme. For Asia Callil1g, and for
in the United States to produce features in English, such as for
its foreign news, KBR 68H received the Adam J\t[alik Award from
the radio programme Democracy N o)}! and for public radio in San
the ~fjnistry of Foreign Affairs.
Francisco.
56
Waves of Freedom
Public Radio in Spirit
57
As well as journalism a\ords, KB R G8H has al so received
Particularly moving for us was an award KB R G8H received
awards as an in stitutio n. These awards '.'.·cre p rese nted to KBR
from the arts community in Aceh, for our involvement in the
G8H for its role in opening up public acce ss
recons truction of radio statio ns and the rehabilitati o n o f access
to
in formation by
making use of technological dcn:lopments. One was a 2003 Tech
to
information in this region in the wake of the tsunami.
Museum Award from the L nited Sta tes, and was presented at a mega e"ent in San J ose ..\ similar award was bes towe d by the Gateway Found atio n in Germany, two years running, in 2003 and 2004.
"
,.
) /
~~ ~.The
Philippines
The Tech Mllmllll AII Zlf"{i 2003 -·eJItta ~··
"
KBR 68H Asia
Ca//il/,~
Timor Leste
(J/'eTseas rdC!)' .rIa/ions
58
Public Radio in Spirit
Waves of Freedom
Radio Utan Kayu One day in early 2000, we inter viewed Sabam Sirait, a POI
59
any further than the length of the radio tower itself." A challenge indeed, and an unavoidable one at that.
Perjuangan party leade r. He asked, "Where can I tune into your
Also disturbing was that while preparation of programmes
sta tion?" Our answer to this question was n ecessarily long, and
for this radio station were going ahead without a hitch , for
often confusing, to the listener. "At such and such a time o n this
technical reasons we were unable to air. The presenters started
radio station, on such and such a frequency. The time differs
getting restless, "When are we going to stop being astronauts?"
from stati o n to station. Ou tside J akar ta, the frequencies are
Going through the motions, but with nobody listening. People
different too. It depends on the city." N o t a very practical answer.
we had interviewed might lose faith too, if nobod y could hear
And not one that instilled confidence , ei ther. But we had no
their interviews. But, luckily, in the midst of all this chaos, we
choice, because for the first three years o f KBR 68H operations,
got a chance to work with Rt:zdio Suara Metro, which we picked up
,ve didn't have our own radio statio n in Jakarta.
on straight away as the vehicle for KBR 68H to talk to listeners
So, while producing programmes for broadcas t on o ther radio stations, we dreamed o f h aving our own sta ti on. It was n't going to be easy because all the FI\I fre quencies in Jakarta had been
in Jakarta. This local radio station was officially launched on 26 July 2002. Its main programmes were the on-air magazines, Sarapan Pagi
snapped up. There were no channels \'acant for us to manage.
(06.30 - 09.00) and Kopi Sore (16.30 - 18.30). These programmes
Purchasing a freque ncy was not an opti on for us, a new media
were also re-broadcast by several other radio stations, such as
entity that had grown out of NGO activities. In any case, it is
Star FM in Dumai, Gema Pertiwi FM, Bacan, in Maluku, and Suara
illega l. Th en so me one came up with a rash idea: how ab out
A/am FM in Kendari . Today, more than 50 stations broadcast
broadcasting on Ai\ I? Maybe no t a favourite with city people,
these on-air magazines.
but there were lots of channels a\'ailable. It wouldn't be hard to get a licence, and it would be cheap tOo.
Then other programmes were developed. There have been radio plays and book readings. The radio play, Merabah fa/an
Confident in our decision, we immedi ately started making
Setapak, was an alternative packaging of the concepts of law
the tech n ica l pr e parat ions . A tower was constructed in
reform. This play was produced by an external team, which in
H amb alang Bogor, away from the already crO\vded community
the 1970s scored a rut with Butir,Butir Pasir di Laut, a play that
at Utan Kayu. But the technical problems with this AM channel
encour age d Indonesians to p articipate in the government's
p roved remar kably com plica ted . Time and again we had to modify
planned parenthood programme and that managed to bring the
the tower. The powerfu l trans mitter wasn't able to get a signal
rate of population growth under control.
Jakarta. It even go t to the point where a friend o f
We also produced a unique programme: book readings on
mine, Ging Ginanj ar, a journalist who now works at DeNtsche
the radio. The first novel we selected was Pramoedya's Bumi
U;ielle, blurted out, " I sometimes won der if our signal reac he s
Manusia (This Earth of Mankind), which was read by Sitok
through
to
60
Waves of Freedom
Srengene, a presenter and Komunitas Utan Kayu activist. These
Public Radio in Spirit
FM 89.2 Utan Kayu Programme Schedule
plays and book readings have a 15-minute slot every day, at night when listeners are too tired to listen to news. Another favourite with listeners is the regular Thursday talk show transmitted from outside the studio, popularly known as Diskusi Kamisan. This is a forum for exchange of ideas on social ,.
issues. Its audience is growing. And there's lots of interest from organisations that want to appear on the show. Most are social
Time
10.06-11.OC
Since early 2006, we have focused more intensively on our local radio .station in Jakarta. It is now a separate entity from KBR 68H. This new station is called Radio Utan Kayu. It still airs on 89.2 PM. Several new programmes have been developed to
impr~ve
our service to the public in Jakarta and surrounding
area~. 'We call it: The Station that Listens to YOU!
I Saturday
II
Sunday
MomIno MuSIC Deutscl1e Welle no,'","""
0500.os.<;lI 05 5O-C
. Partnership, and WALHI. Several social movements have grown
response to the tsunami in Aceh.
IWednesday I Thursday I .Friday
[;I 3tW5 00
09.30-10.0( 10.1JO..10. "
commission, Komisi Darurat Kemanusiaan (KDK), a civil society
Monday I Tu05day
r
organisatiofls, such as lCW, INCREASE, Pokja Papua, out of Dzskusi Kamisan, too, including the humanitarian disaster
61
"'0""
Good Momino All
Mominn All Mn mloo All GOOd Momi no ,.,
(',ood
('.twYi
KBR 68H
Make Us Laugh
Timo
04 .J0.05.00 05.IJO.OS.SO 05.30-06.00 06.00-06 .30 06.3(H)7. 00 07.()().()8.00 08()().()8.30 08.3().Q9.00 09.Q0.09.3O 09.30-10.00 10.1JO..10.06
Chat With
Lisleners' Complaints (KPK)
KPK
10.06-11.00
r; ", n", 11.1JO..11 .00 t1.06-11.3O 11.30-12.00 1200.120 t2.06-12.3C 12.30-13. w 13.00-13.01 13.06-13. 30 13.30-14.rv 14.00-14.0! 14.06-14.3C
KBR 68H Lisleners' Co~laints (KPK)
I
KPK ~D"
~D~
KRRAAH
Lisleners' Compla inls (KPK) KBR 68H Thursday
1'"
After Lunch (SMS)
After Lunch (SMS) 14.30-1S.C
KPK
....
I
KBR 68H
I
SMS I KBR 68H
Thursday
DlScusslOfl
I
I
Wome n's Hour
VDV
KPK
vm
vo,
SMS
SI.t~
SMS
SM;:
sus
S~
SMS
SMS
SMS
SMS
SMS
SMS
en
Fim Ga!1erv
Women's Hour
About Jakarta
Jakana
KB!l 68H
About
Aftemoon Programme
AsiaCalli~
11.00-11 .06 11.06-11.30 11.30-12.00 12.00-12.06 12.06-12.30 12_30-13.00 13.()()'13.06 13.06-t3.30 13.30-1 4.00 14.00-14.06 14.06-14 .30 14.30-15.00 15.00-15.06 15.06-15.30 15.30-16.00 16.00-16.30 16_30-17.00 17.00-18.00
'D~ \
18.00-18.0 18.06·18.31 18.30-19." 19.00-1901 1906-19.3( 1936-20.CX 2O.00-2C.Of 2O.06-20 3(
KBR 68H Aftemoo n Programme
I ~::~~ I
2O~n1. (J(
21.00-21.01 21.06-21.'" I ln\~ctiuo 21.30-221)( f-,Joum'" - I 2200-22r.1 2206-22.J1 Sexand I 22 36-23.1W t"" (" '" 23.00-23.!l 2300-23. &1 Sex and L23 30-00.00 the Cilv I [2im; Monday I
T
Inl ..-orf~
KBR 68H Ewni'lQ Hour Evening Hour KBR 68H
'nl...... "",
VOA
I
Forum20.06 I lf,nm KPKI
KBR 68H Inl. _ _
Intoracftve "" ,~; l r..el Ionelher KBR 68H Inleracfi~ ,,~''"' Inl."clt~ .",,", Inl.';;;:;;:~ I '''''''nocn,v Inl~~lligBther KBR 68H Interac:ll", T Rooidn' Inlerac1ive I InleractJVe Int",_ I Wednesdav I Inleradive I Interactiw Tuesday IWednesday I Thursday I Friday I -';;;;;-rn. 1
r
In-::;;;
-1
Inl."''' ;~
Inl=....... h lm.1
T
S,""
Inl~r~
- k,.--;;;;;j
18.00-18.06 18.06-18.30 18.30-19.00 19.00-19.06 19.06·19.30 19.36-20.00 20.00-20.06 20.06-20.30 20.30-21.00 21.00-21 .06 : 21.06-21.30 21.30-22.00 22.00-22.06
Inlo" rl'~ I Puooet.Bhow 22.06-22.36 j loleract;·" , I Puooel Show 22.36-23.00 23.00-23.06 InteraC1ive I Puooel Show 23.06-23.30 In1eracIive I Puooel Show 23.30-00.00 ' Saturday I Sunday Time I
4
T
From dispatch rider to satellite
at motorbike, at 3 p.m. wlthout fail, would be parked in front of the KBR 68H studio. A dilapidated bike, rui n ed from running round Jakarta. The driver o ften
wouldn't even get down off the sad dle. He just waited for the cassette, wi th the recording of Btl/eli" .'lore we had produ ced that day, to rush post ha ste to Radi(} Pelita Kasih (RPK) in Cawang, not far from our studio. Back in 1999, we had no choice but to rely o n motorbike di spa tch for ddinr y; that was the most effective form of deliver y open to us. N o t hi-tech by any stretch of the imagination. Wle began working with RPK when KBR 68H was fir st set up. And they h ave b een a ver y loyal partner. We are grateful them, and
to
to
the o th er network members. RPK aired short file s
produced by KBR 68 H that they downloaded from the internet. For th e 30-mi nute programmes, RPK reli ed on the cassette recordings delivered by courier. Coming up
to
4 p.m. RPK should
be about to broadcast the recording o f Bflil'fill Sore. The entire KBR 68H crew would gath er round to listen in on the small
the
/ rJlllUllIi
63
64
Waves of Freedom
From Dispatch Rider to Satellite 65
radio in the office. That was the only way we had of monitoring
distribution. That wasn't all. Because we hoped that they would
our work, because in 1999 KBR 68H did not have its own radio
send us news flies from their locations, too, we had to come to
station in Jakarta.
an agreement on work methods. Right down to the naming of
It's past four o'clock. Buletill Sore is not on air yet. Half past
news files, and how we would incicate the date, name of the
four, the bulletin should have finished by now, but we still aren't
reporter, name of the reporting station, and the theme of the
hearing anything on the RPK airwa"es. A colleague, trying to be
news. Those first seven stations were DMWS Kupang, Nebula
optimistic, says, "Maybe it's just a technical hitch ." But by 6
Palu, RPK Jakarta, TOP FM Denpasar, SPFM Makasar, Nikqya
'o 'clock, the bulletin is stili not on air. \v'e've given up all hope.
Banda Aceh and Unisi Yogyakarta.Another seven stations were
to serve our listeners the information they need. But why? \:Jle
soon to join them as network members. To begin with everything ran ~moothly. Especially for the
were tired and fed up by the thought of a day's work ,vasted.
short audio files of maximum 6() seconds duration. So, we
That day's bulletin is definitely not going to air. We have failed
But our frustration soon evaporated when a friend told us,
prioritised production of news bites, on-the-scene reports, and
"The dispatch rider had an accident. The cassette got broken."
packaged them as radio news. Then dispatched them immediately
Oh! So that was why listeners hadn't got to hear our production.
to the network members. There were no deadlines. The principle
We understood. We felt so sorry for the brave dispatch rider.
was, as with other news agencies, get the news out to the network '
Hopefully his injuries \veren't too bad. And, really, it was time to
as soon as it is ready. And these network members, broadcasting
find another way of delivering our radio program mes. Imagine,
in cities far from Jakarta, wanted KBR 68H products because
a radio news agency relying on motorbike dispatch!
this up-to-the-minute news, delivered from a critical and
In point of fact, when this news agency was first launched,
independent standpoint, had a different feel to it than the
the pla'n was take advantage of the advances in information
government radio news they had been forceq to relay in the past.
technology. The programmes produced at Utan Kayu would be
Interest in KBR 68H news products grew. But it was still
dispatched immediately via the internet to radio stations that
limited to internet savvy stations. And their number was negligible
wanted to broadcast them. For that, a digital production, storage
in comparison with the radio station population. Most stations
and distribution' system was designed with the help of colleagues
were light years away from using the internet. This also has tq
from MDLF. Sound editing has been digital from th e outset.
do with the low level of penetration of this information
KBR 68H also shares
technology among the general public. As of last year, only around
this work method with network members,
making sound editing faster and more effective. , To speed up distribu:ion, when the network first came into being we invited the seven radio stations that had been the first to express interest, to take part in a workshop Dn internet
7% of the Indonesian population were internet users.
66
Waves of Freedom
From Dispatch Rider to Satellite 67
Growth in the Number of Internet Customers and Users
16.00. Some stations br oadcast it next morning - hardly in keeping with the nature of radio news. The immediacy was lost.
I
Years
Customers
Users
Some only broadcast the programme the following afternoon.
1998
134,000
512,000
The internet proved even less reliable than the motorbike
1999
256,000
1,000,000
dispatch · for RPK - accidents aside. But, there was no way we
2000
400,000
1,900,000
could send programmes to
2001
581,000
4,200,000
the far flung islands by
2002
667,002
4,500,000
motorbike dispatch . This I
2003
865,706
8,080,534
technolog y
I
Completely stifled and repressed, radio stations were unable to make use of satel/ite.
problem
2004
1,087,428
11 ,226, 1431
concluded 1999, the first year of KBR 68H, with a very
2005*
1,500,000
16,000,000 I
challenging assignment: find a solution to the distribution
*Estimate
problem. Indonesia spans thousands of kilometres, covers tens up to tbe end of 2005
Source: Association of Internet Service Provider.r
However, the biggest problem with distributing radio news via the internet was the very slow access in some locations. Old telephone lines and few providers make for a system that is only suited to sending mini audio files . Whenin August 1999 KBR 68H started producing Buletin Sore, a 30-minute programme, downloading became a serious problem. This news bulletin was supposed to be br oadcast simultaneously at 16.00 Western Indonesia Time. So, the KBR 68H editorial team aimed to get it wrapped up and ready for dispatch by 15.00. We h oped that the stations would be finished downloading in 30 minutes, and broadcast it simuhaneously. What ha'Ppened ? Radio DMWS in Kupang reported that it took them 6 hours to download Buletin Sore. Radio Nebula in Palu didri't finish
~ownl oa ding
it until the middle of the night. So,
there was no way that it could be broadcast simultaneously at
of th o usands of far flung islands and, with its poor telecommunications infrastructure and low telephone density (as of 2006, only 4% of the population has fixed telephones), another solution was clearly needed for the radio network. It happened that solution was available. One of the good legacies of the Soeharto administration was satellite. Of course, many legacies of the New Order regime were bad, destructive to the nation, such as corruption, the unspeakable bureaucracy, and the destruction of our democratic institutions. But satellite was a goo d legacy. Realising the problem with communications, the New Order government launched the Palapa Satellite on 9 July 1976. Indonesia was one of the first countries to use satellite for its communications. This technology is well suited to the geography of Indonesia. But, completely stifled and repressed, radio stations were unable
to
make use of the satellite. At that
time, only government radio and television stations were allowed to Use sa telli teo
68
From Dispatch Rider to Satellite 69
Waves of Freedom
The problem was one of freedom : radio stations so repres sed
who were determined to expand the network to the four corners
that they weren't even allowed to think about networks, naturall y
of the archipelago. Amid
never went as far as to eye this technology with a view to
meet some of the biggest names in the private satellite business
expanding their coverage. Ironically, the first to lease Palapa
in Indonesia. They managed some of the Palapa C2 Satellite
Satellite channels were radio stations in the Philippines, to expand
channels. And they still had channels that were not being used.
their industry. I heard this story when I visited the biggest radio
W1asting no time, we jumped at this chance to use satellite to
network in the Philippines. The director told me that they don't
distribute KBR 68H programmes. In 2000, we began using this
use Palapa anymore, but in the 1970s they leased satellite channels
technology. Equipped only with a parabola antenna and digital
from Indonesia.
all this paranoia, I was very lucky
to
receiver, radio stations can relay KBR 68H programmes direct.
The private television stations that appeared in the 19805
The same method and equipment is used by overseas stations,
used satellite to expand their broadcasting coverage, too. It was
such as VOA, BBe, Radio Nederland, and Deutsche Welle. The only
easier for private television to access satellite, thanks to the close
difference is that KBR 68H uses a local satellite. No costly, special
links their owners had with the seat of power at that time. Indeed,
pre-set receiver is needed either; just an ordinary, cheap multi
this industry was awash with cash and enjoyed political protection.
channel receiver.
But private radio stations seemed slow to make use of satellite
Installing antennas had a pleasant and sometimes surprising
technology. Perhaps because the leasing fees were prohibitively
effect. One day in June 2000, we were in Jayapura, Papua,
expensive for the size of the radio industry.
responding to a request from Radio 5t1ara Kasih Agtlilg (RSKA)
Another factor impeding growth in the number of radio
to join our network. We were in the middle of doing a radio
stations using satellite had to do with New Order policies that
journalism training, and at the same time installing a parabola
for almost three decades had muzzled radio news. Banned from
antenna and receiver at the station. As usual, we had brought a
producing news, radio stations were forced to package products
receiver from Jakarta. But when the local technician opened it
for entertainment. Music was the mainstay. The character of the
up, it was broken. So, we decided to look for one locally, and it
stations was very local. The possibility of having a national or
turned out that there were lots of digital receivers to choose
regional station was unthinkable. Even news networks did not
from in the local shops. Since then, we trust that digital receivers
flourish.
are freely available in nearly every corner of the archipelago.
After the 1998 Reformation, we were in a different situation.
There is no need
to
bother bringing receivers from Jakarta. Radio
Would radio stations still not be allowed to lease satellite
stations can find their own receivers to begin building a satellite
channels? It may well be that it had never actually been prohibited
link with KBR 68H.
in writing. \"ias it just a tradition that no one had ever tried to change? These questions bothered us, the KBR 68H managers,
That evening, in the yard of Paulus Church in Jayapura, ,vhere .
RSKA is located, we gathered to wait while the digital receiver
70
From Dispatch Rider to Satellite 71
Waves of Freedom
was in stalled. It was coming up
to
18.00 local time, the time to
broadcast Buletin Sore. We were crowded round a small transistor radio, and suddenly the sound of the presenter in Jakarta filtered through to our ears in Jayapura. We felt amazed, delighted. it was as easy as that, making a radio network. Having the right terhnology was an enormous asset to this programme. Listeners
PALAPA C2 SATELLITE
)n. Jayapura were even more delighted because in this bulleti n there was an interview with Tom Beanal, a Papuan community leader whose voice, at that time, was seldom heard in the local
430 KBRs8i? network stations receive programmes using a parabola and a dig ital receiver
media. The managers of other radio stations in Jayapura were so excited that some even relayed RSKA so that they could broadcast the progJ:amme. Wnen we started using satellite to dispatch KBR 68H news the number of network members increased sharply and has been growing ever since. It is so easy and inexpensive for our new members to access KBR 68H products. This system is so efficient that there is less than a one second time lag bet\veen what the presenter in the KBR 68H studio says and what network station listeners hear. In other words, these programmes are
SATELLITE UPLINK
~
EPHONE I INTERNET
broadcast direct from KBR 68H in Utan Kayu, East Jakarta, to TELEPHONE SMS POLLING
listeners in hundreds of cities in Indonesia, via local stations. This system can be visualised like this: STUDIO KBRS8i7
Tbe KBR 68H Net1lJo rk Sj'stem
~
~ LISTENERS
72
From Dispatch Rider to Satellite 73
Waves of Freedom
Satellite technology allows for broadcast coverage not limited
that K13R 68H must rise to. We wanted to produce software that
by a country's borders, but only by the range of the satelli1e
would help clients monitor whether or not their programmes or
signal, or footprint . For the satellite used by KBR 68H, th e
. adyertisements were being broadcast by network stations.
footprint covers more than t'wenty countries in Asia Pacific. So,
In 2003 KBR 68H, with support from MDLF, developed
technically, listeners throughout Asia Pacific countries could tun c
that software. Called KBR 68H Logger, this software is used to
into KBR 68H broadcasts. Of course, in the case of news
log broadcasts by KBR 68H netwo~k members: are they
programmes, the problem would be one of language because
broadcasting KBR 68H programmes or not? This logger works
Indonesian is used by a limited number of p eople in Asia. In
by making a digital record that differentiates between locally
2001, KBR 68H had the idea of producing an information
produced programmes and KBR 68H programmes. The radio
package for listeners in Malaysia, but it never got off the ground
operator needed only
because of the strict censorship and harsh repression in that
local, and the data is collected and accessed once a day by the
country.
KBR 68H server.in U tan Kayu. The data is then uploaded
Network radio using satellite and internet technology, was, it seemed, very easy
duplicate and suited to a wide geographical
to
click one of two switches, KBR 68H or to
on
a special website that can be accessed directly by the advertisers
area. Connecting places previously isolated from each other. This
using a password. The' KBR 68 H Logger was officially launched at the Hilton
was proven by our partner in Nepal, Communication Corner. After
Hotel on 28 May 2003 , in the presence of around 300 people
doing a comparative study at KBR 68H, the management of
from advertising bureau and clients. This technology is quite
Communication Corner set out to look for satellite facilities in Nepal
amazing, and did much to raise the credibility of KBR 68 H in
and began building its own network. Unfortunately, this initiative
the eyes of advertisers. Unfortunately, only a few of our network
was muzzled by the repressive king of Nepal in early 2005.
members have the supporting equipment needed to operate this
Without technological freedom, its purpose was lost.
software. It is estimated that only 30% of KBR 68H network
to
members have computers that are equipped to deal with this
The KBR 6aH Logger
installation. For this reason , growth in the use of this equipment
One reservation that advertisers have about network radio
has been very slow. By the end of 2003, only around 50 sta ti ons
is an assurance that their message will be broadcast on distant
were using the KBR 68 Logger. Great technology, but not ver y
radio stations. "How can you guarantee that our advertisement
practical.
is being aired in Merauke or Sabang?" asked one KBR 68H client.
Another obstacle was that the data input depended on the
A very logical question, given that the client may not have an
operator clicking the switch on the Logger. The network radio
office or people that can monitor the radio stations in these
operator might, for some reason, forget to click the switch every
distant locations. Client demands such as this present a challenge
time from local to KBR 68H relay, or vice' versa, so the data
74
-
Waves of Freedom
From Dispatch Rider to Satellite 75
\\.ould not be recorded. \\Je found this to b e a very serious problem. So \\'e needed to make an upd ated versjo n, one that did not rely o n this manual input:. The software should be able to
automatic ally detect the prog ramm e being bro adcas t and
differenti ate b etween local prog rammes and KBR 68H products. We didn't gi\"e up hope. \'
than twO years before we
The KBR 68H Logger allows them to check whether their advertisements are being aired in even the most remote locations.
\\'ork e d ou t h ow t o modify the Logger. We embedded a special tone in programmes and advertisements relayed by KBR 68H to network members. This tone differentiates our programme s from local programmes. So now \\"e are able to kn m,\" for sure whether station A in East Nu sa Tenggara is airing the programmes it has agreed to air. Development o f this software and implementation of this system took a great deal of time, energy and res o urces. But we forged ahead, certain that the use o f this approprja te technologv would help improve the performance o f the radio industry as a whole. Advertisers could set as id e their doubts. Now, they can check for themselves w hether their advertisements are being aired in the far flung corners of Kalimantan o r Maluku, pro\'ided th at the network member there is using the KBR 68H Logger. \Vic want to share this technology with network members. Local Studio Client
H ow the KBR 68H Logger JlJork.s
5
I
Training
and training
will never tire of telling this tale of my stupidity. A very valuable lesson from my own experience, when in 1999 I interviewed Xanana Gusmao, the leader who is now
President of Timor Leste. Although it was no t my first interview
with Xanana, I felt a bit nervous, because this was the first time I had done an interview for radio. With no training whatsoever, I set off armed wi th the skills of a newspaper journalist. A.fter talking abou t this and that for about an hour and half I fe lt I had enough in formation from the inter view. I rushed back to the studio, an d transferred the recording into digital format - a standard procedure at KBR 68H. I scanned the recording for a suitable pull quote for a short news programme. The longer versio n of the interview I could use for a longer programme. But never mind the longer version, finding even a short quote proved almost impossible. E verything that Xanana said was masked by a background noise, the continual whirring of a fan. Then I remembered . The jail was so hot that Xanana lived with Bifore feedif/g his COl/ lj; ajlmlJer IImi.r /1) li.rltll /0 thr mdio. KHR 68H skiff lilStolled 0 .rbeaker at tbe en/mllcr 10 a Iii/age i" "" lr,./J 131'.((/r
a fan beside his chair. The noise of the fan could not be erased. 77
78
Training and Training
Waves of Freedom
That noise ruined my debut as a radio interviewer. If I had
79
\X:'c also had a journalist from the United States' National
worked for another station, I would probably have been fl red.
pI/bile Radio (l\TR) working in the KBR 68H office, and used
A fabulous source, but nothing to show for it because of a fan.
thi s oppo rtunity to learn and acquire skills from her. On another
Luckily, the ne\\' staff that came on board to develop KBR
occasion we worked together with D wtsche IVeile to produce a
68H were much more skilled and far quicker learners than me.
joint current affairs programme, Several KBR 68B staff have
The y didn't need to make the fatal kind of mistake I had made.
studied a t the Centre for Investigative Journalism in the
That is also what motiyated KBR 68B to continue prm·iding
Philippin es. In these ways, we try continually to build the capacity
training. Both for its own staff and for network members around
of KBR 6RH staff. Training is not only for journalists, bur
Indonesia. Helping colleagues
technical staff, too, such as making a technical comparison of
to
become skilled radio journalists.
AM Stereo with DZRH in IVIani la. In short, we train and train.
No shame in learning
\'{!e learn fro m anyone who has something to teach us.
To build staff capacity, KBR 68B has invited many foreign journalists to internal training sessions. Also, we send journalists
Motivating others to train
to take part in training programmes overseas. The first time was
Recognising the importance of raising the quality of human
in July 1999 when we invited a BBC journalist to share h is
resources, radio journalism training has become an important
experience of producing a 30-minute current affairs programme.
activin' for K BR 68H, After news production, of course. l\1Iost
This one-mo nth training programme was for all KBR 68H staff
of tbis training in basic radio journalism skills takes place in
- at that time, just six people. The result was Bli/din Sore, which
locations outside Jakarta. To facilitate the transfer of knowledge
went on air in Augus t the same year.
and skills, a large part o f the training is hands-on. The basic
After that we regularly sent journalists to study at the Rad io Nede rlands Training Centre, and to Sweden
to
take p art in th e
training is g e nerally given by a team of KBR 68H staff (jo urnalists and tecbnicians) dispatcbed
to
the location.
FOJO programme. KBR 68H has sent journalists to the Unired
As an illustration of the intensive nature of tbis training,
States to learn more about radio there. ' V
bet\veen January and December 2000, KBR 68H ran 12 training
comparative study to find out how BEC editorial teams work,
programmes - 9 in the regions and 3 in Jakarta - for 156 people
especially in managing Radio 4. To be honest, managing the BBC
(55 \\'omen and 101 men). In the years since, we bave continued
is easicr than managing an organisation like KBR 68H, because
to run training courses in various locations in Ind onesia. So tbat,
the J3J3C has full financial backing from the public, through tbe
b\ its se\-:-entb anniversary this \'Car, KBR 68H bas provided
national budget. Kl:3R 6RB, meanwhile, in its desire to serve
d lC
training for no less tban 2,000 crew from KBR 68B nenvork
public, has to seek funding suppOrt from commercial and soci al
Stations and other radio stations. Most were radio presenters or
organisations.
80
Training and Training
Waves of Freedom
reporters,~There
was also training for technicians, marketing staff
81
pontian:l k, stjmuJated the growth o f new reporter~ in those location s.
and radio managers. Training in Radio News Production for Journalists and Technicians, 2000
1N0
Type of Training
Location
~
Date
Participants
1.
Basic Training
Pekanbaru,Riau
19·23Feb
M 11
F 3
2.
Basic Training
Jambi
22·27 March
12
4
3.
Training and Evaluation of 68H Network Basic Training
Jakarta
1·6 May
11
6
Trainer
Total 14 KBR 68H and Radio Gress FM 16 KBR 68H and Radio Dian Irama KBR 68H 17
Jayapura
5·9June
6
10
16
Training for Campus Radio Joumalist
Yogyakarta
13·17June
11
4
15
6.
Training: Reading and InteNiew Techniques
Jakarta
19·23 June
11
7
18
KBR 68H
7.
In·house Training For Winners of ISAI Awards BasIc Iraining
Jakarta
31 July ·13 Aug
4
0
4
KBR 68H
Banjarmasln
9
5
14
Basic Traini~ Basic Training
, Mataram Medan
25 Sept· 3 ct 23·27 Oct
6
10.
5
5 6
11 11
11 .
Basic Training
Lampung
13·17 Nov
9
1
10
KBK 6~H and Radio Smart KBR 68H andQE KBR 68H and Radio Sonya KBR 68H and Radio Yu distira
cooperation with several Other organisations, Throughout 2001,
12.
Basic Training
Pontianak
26·30 Nov
6
4
10
KBR 68H and Volar<
for example, KBR 68H worked with the Institute for the Studies
4. 5 1
8. ~.
I BasIc
4·
~
::;ept
KBR 68H and Radio Nusa Bahagi. KBR 6HH an~ Radio Unlsl M
'hailling for Radio J Olln1a/isfs il1 i\ Torfh SlllJ70tTa
To run th ese training programmes, KBR 68H works
In
on Free Fl ow of Info rmati o n (ISA I) to run three training programmes for around 45 participants in Kupang, Kendari, and At each training session in the regions, participants come
Bengkulu. These th re e programmes were funded by The Asia
from private radio stations in that area. For example, when we
fo undation. ISAI, which has experience in running journalism
ran a training progr amme in Jayapura, all the private radio stations
training programmes, th en de\doped the School for Broa dcast
in that city, and from Wamena, enthusiastically sent their staff
?I Iedia , Operating since 2005, this institute provides education
along. That training was followed by invitations for participants to become KBR 68H correspondents. So, since the training in
sen 'ic es for radio and TV journalists, The people taking parr in KBR 68H training programme s
Jayapura, KBR 68H has had permanent and reli ab le
Me generally enthu sias tic because the training is so practical.
co rrespondents for the Jayapura and Wamena areas, Like'wis e,
The" also Lile the fact that there is follow up to our training,
our training programmes in Pekanbaru, Jambi, Yogyakarta and
Wh en the training is over, they are giYe n the ch ance to become
82
Training and Training
Waves of Freedom
stringers for our radio news agency. That means that they continue to work for th eir usual radio station, but ge t th e chance to have
83
Here are so me comments fro m people who took part in a KBR 68B training programme in Flores:
their coverage broadcast to a national audience, through the KBR
68H network. They get extra income for each broadca st on KBR
) itliafla l \fera, Radio Siaran Pemerinrah Daerah,
Ea~t
Flores:
68H. At least 20% of th ose that ha,·e had training become regu lar
Thi s training \\-as great. \x: hen 1 got back
contributors, enhancing KBR 681-[ programmes.
immediately shared my experiences with my colleagues. \1\. boss
to
the station, 1
was delighted with the new things I had learned. J once went on another training programme, but it was nothing but theory. \\lith KHR 68H we could tryout that theory straight away. The KBR 68H training manu al is useful for operators and technicians, too. Rq),llerFi"allJi.rkllJ, Radio Cakram, l\laumere: The training
fre ll11 KBR 68B was really useful. As well as learning about
producing radio programmes, 1 also got to meet lots of people and learn from their experiences in managing radio statiom in Flon.~ s.
That was something that I'd never experienced before. h-allJiskllS AllgNs/illa remal1des, Radio Cakram, Maum ere:
After the training from KBR 68H I realised that producing radio news was not as difficult as I'd imagined.
Training f(Jr Asiall j(Jl/rna/isls, A sia Cal/iJlg slringers
In-house training and internships
In 2003, we added to our training sessions by inviting gues ts
Since 2003, K13R 68 H has developed in-house trai ning
alon g. For instance, we invited Indonesian Corrup tion Watch
for 21 radio station s in Ind onesia. These intensive two-week
(I C\'{l) activists to o ffer perspectives and practical tip s o n
training programmes have been run at radio stations in Tu al,
producing reports on corruption. T his organi sa ti on is headed
Mano kwari, Sampit, Bintuni, i\Iasohi, Ambon, Banda Aceh, and
by T ete n Maskudi, a ci vil society activist and winn er of the
DUl11ai . Journalists fr o m these sta ti o n s hayc also had the
Magsaysay A,,-ard, and a ver y influential figure in the anti
opportunity to attend two-week internships at KBR 68B. This
corruption m O\-emen t in Ind onesia.
prog ramme gi,-es journali sts from a number of cities a chance to observe and be directl y im-olved in the workings of KB R 68[--1. And KBR 68H journalists have th e chance
to
see with their
Own eyes th e situ ation in our local affi_bate stations.
84
Training and Train ing
Waves of Freedom
85
KBR 68H also provides internships for students from
That \\'as also to be the yea r of the direct presidential elections,
campus radio stations and pe ople from other medi a tha t are
and direct electi o n of members of the house of reg ional
intcn:sted in developing radio programmes. E very month th ere
representati ves, the DPD. Radio had to be involv ed in
arc about four students from various campuses doing th ese
popularising this new system so that people would be better
internships in our offices. r-.Iost of the people on internships
equipped to deal with the elections. So, training needed to be
from other media are from TEMPO. In 2002, whene'-er we were
internships for radio journalists fr o m Voice of DemomJC)' in
pro,-ided, to make sure that the journalists were better prepared too. The KBR 68H
Cambodia.
programme, jurnalis M el/pll! Pemiltl, kicked off with two training
recruiting new reporters, T EM PO sent two candidates to work with KBR 68H for a fortnight. We also provide regul a·'
KBR 68H has prOVided training for no less than 2,000 crew from KBR 68H network stations and other radio stations.
sessions for prospective trainers, which were held from 15 to 18 and from 22 to 25 July 2003. Sixty journalists from 32 provinces were invited to attend this training to become trainers and run similar training programmes in their respective provinces. This training consisted of two main components: balanced election reporting, and an introduction to the new regulations on th e 2004 election system. Competent speakers were invited to the training to talk about the general elections and the position of journalists in this kind of political event. They came from KPU, Panwaslu, JPPR, I<JPP, AJI, and the Press Council. To support this training, KBR 68H published three books on the elections: (a) A Guide to Monitoring the 2004 E lections, published in cooperation with the independent election watchdog,
KOllJite II1c/epe;;den Pel1lal1tatt Pe1l1iltf (KIPP); (b) A Handbook for
Training in election coverage
TV / Radio Journalists, a trans latio n of an Article XIX book
Training in 2003 focused on election monitoring. Support
previously published by ISAI; and (c) j ac/lral Pel//i/u, a reprint of
for this programme came from Free Voice, an organisation for
a KPU brochure of the election timetable. T hese boo ks were
independent media in the Ne therlands, and from The Asia
distributed to radio journalists, to broaden their insight and
Foundation. This training ,vas vital, because a very new style of
enhance their kn owledge. Thanks to this train ing and th ese
ge neral election for Indonesia was due to take place in 2004.
publications, radio journalists were better prepared to cover this
86
Training and Training
Waves of Freedom
87
extremely important e vent. In some way at least, this contribu tt:d
~aturaJly, it contains a g reat deal of informati on and a great
the success of the 2004 elections, which included di rect
mJny examples of the British experience, Or, perhaps m o re
presidential elections, a new mile stone in democracy in Indonesia.
precisely, the RRC exp erience. So, understanding the context,
to
rcaders should be able to choose which pans need
to
be read
more closely, and which parts can be glo ssed over.
Literature vac uum '\ s well as training, KBR 68H has also felt the need to publish
Radio :r Niche M arketillg Retlo//.Ition: by Godfrey WI. Herweg and
various bo oks on radio journalism. The publication of th ese
Ashle y Page H erweg. This 360-page tome was tran slated and
books, six of wh ich were sponso red br MDLF, is a \yay of
publi shed by KBR 68H in January 2004. This
encouraging learning in this somewhat neglected fi eld. So that
book discusses a new perspective in radio
those interested in taking up this profession haye access to enough
marketing, one that focuses on niche marketing.
information to get ,tarted . . \nd those who already h aH
This b ook is very useful for radio marketing
experience in radi o journalism can draw on the expe riences of
staff, advertising pe op le and the like . It is
those \\'ho han: expertise in
thi~
published in Indonesian as RCl'o/Nsi PC!J1osoran
field.
The purpo se of these KBR 6SH publications is to enrich our store of knO\.\'lecige of radi o journalism. The y include: Sen!
~Va}j/allca/'a
R Cldif) , a rransla ti o n
0
Illtenir:willg for Rae/io . Jim Beaman is a se nior
f Jim B cam an 's _
......- -
Rcu/io. Experienced radi o managers placed order~
for this book because it enriches their
knowledge of the radi o business. Illside the BEC ond C;S[\'-: by Lucy Kung-Shankelman, was
at Universit y
originaUy published by Routledge, London. This book has been
College, England. He has worked as a trainer
translated into Ind onesian and given the title
at the BBC Trainin g Centre, H e also has
Inside BEC dan Cj'VN: Pervour/illgol/ Budo),a
practical experience in radio journalism, as a
Orgallisasi !Hedlo. The first edition came out in
presenter, reporter and producer at the BBe.
D ecember 2003. This book is the result of
This author's background as an academic and
research into the work environments and work
practitioner makes this a valuable resource for us to learn fro m.
cultures in the editorial rooms of CNN and
The English edition of this b ook was published by Routledege
the
in 2000, and we are grateful to this celebrated publisher for
orga ni sations were chosen as a case study for
lecturer in radio
journ ali~m
BBC.
These
twO
entrusting KBR 68H \\'irh the publication of the Indonesian
the purposes of comparison, allowing readers
version.
learn from these experiences.
to
major
medi a
understand and
Reading this translation, the first thing to remember is th at
In 2003, KBR 68H published a book entitled MediCI dall
this book \\'as '.Hitten in a context guite different from ours.
KOI!lIik Ambo/l. This book \\'as the result of reportage by KBR
88
89
Training and lraining
Waves of Freedom
68H, together with Pan tau magazine and
,,
several journalists from the i'vlaluku Medi a Centre. Led by researcher Eriya nto, this team
ncrwO rk . This book, published under the title Gelolllball,~ Kemalian, was
reviewed do cuments and interviewed many
launch ed at an A]I bo ok ex hibition at T aman I zmail i\ Iarzu ki.
peo ple on the role of the mas s media in the
Discussion of thi s b ook prompted a p ositive re sponse fr om,
conflict in Maluku between 1999 and 2002.
all10ng oth ers, Atmakusumah, former chair of rhe Press Council.
C;r!oll/ballg KelJlatiall talks about th e fatal role of radi o in Rwanda,
The book de scribes h ow difficult it had been to r ema in imp artial as the conflict es calated a nd the
which was used to fan the fl ames o f ethnic conflict.
community b eca me more and more segregated . Some medi a th at
publicatio n of Article XIX is essenti al reading for b road casters
had started out b eing plural and rational were influenced by the
in Indonesia, to avoid a recurrence of these mi stakes.
v io le nce and found it harder and hard er to m aintain th eir
Participati/;e M.arkelillg for Local Radio, b y
independence. Most media were not adequately trained to deal
Dennis List. Published by Origin al Boo ks. T his
with such seri o u s co nflict, and failed to maintain th eir
book \vas distributed by KBR 68 H at the end
independence.
of September 2004. It di scusses particip ative
This
Thi s book gives a d esc ription of the local radio and
marketing for local radio, and desc ribes simp le
newspaper s in Ambo n, which got caught up in the religiou s
re search meth ods for ide ntify ing li steners '
conflict. Tragically, the problem was exacerbated b y the hand s
need s. Translated in to Ind onesia n as Pelllosaran
o f evi l, hiding behind pen s and micropho ne s fann ing the flames
Partisipatif untuk R(/dio Lokal, this book is a respo n se
of conflict. T he damage do ne by the media in Ambon was not
paucity of books on radio marketing, especially for small stations.
as bad as that done by the media in Rwanda. But, we must
This book ha s proved very p o pular with managers o f local radi o
remember the dangers o f a partisan media in physical conflict. \Y./e recorded these experiences so that jou rn alists will never repeat
statio ns . IWriting Broadcast News: S/?orter, Sharper,
these mistakes.
Stronger, by l\:Iervin Block, publish ed by Bonu s
Broadcasting Genocide, Article X IX. Thi s book is ess ential reading b ecause it reminds us of the potential for misuse of broadcasti ng. Radio can be used to spread hate and enmity.
..
',~-~~ ~
to
the
Book Inc. , Chicago. Th e tran sla tion of thi s 343-page book has been fl ying off rhe shelves. And this "vas no r a direct transla ti o n, either. \'(/e
gave senior jo urnali st, Bambang Buj ono,
Copyright on this 192-page b ook was granted
the job o f adapting it and supp lementing it
to KBR 68H and, with the supp ort of MDLF,
with hi s own experi ence. Thi s adapt atio n was
it was published. On this publication, we also
giYen the title M ellll/is unt1lk Telillp,a. This handb ook fo r radio
....
~------------------------------------- --
90
------
-
Training and Training
Waves of Freedom
journalists on how to write for radio gives plenty of examplt:s. Bas ed on the experiences of the w ri te r as practitioner an d academic, this handb oo k help s radio journalists to improve th eir writing, making it: shorter, sharper, and str o nger. As well as tran slations, we have also publish ed our own bo o ks, containing tran scripts o f KBR 68 H programmes. Two of these are Ttlllibflb di
Tel~gab
Krisis, a coll ectio n of transcri pts
fr o m the Ouralall EkolloJlli programme, and Melawal7 Ko mps/, tran scripts of RejorlJlasi Huk 1flll and Daerab Bieam, published with supp o rt from Partnership for Governance Refor m. Thes e bo oks fill a liter ary vacuum in broadcasting. Especially for ra di o journalists.
Sti!Jerdesk . the KRR 681-/ editoriallearll
91
6
Rj
The social
market
diO is often referred to as a dirt cheap media. And
therein lies its beauty. Transistor radios can be bought or as little as Rp 10,000 ($1.15). There are, of course,
plenty of more expensive models available too. This means that
in terms of range, distribution and diversity, users of radio surpass users of o ther media such as the print media and television. Tho se who are poor, who live in remote villages with no electricity, and even those who are illiterate, can enjoy radio broadcasts. Radio penetration is estim ated at 55% of the Indonesian population, or more than 100 million people. For manage rs, radio s tations are seen as fairly flexible investments. There are stations run as a hobby, or community radio stations, started up with an inves tment of o nly a few hundred thousand rupiah. No need for an o ffice . The studio can be set up in a room in someone's house or in a village hall. Naturally, investment in a professional private station in a major city could run into billions of rupiah. But this wide variety of stations is a plus. At least, it would be very hard for anyone to even dream of monopolising radio in Indonesia. They would be 93
94
The Social Market
Waves of Freedom
95
up against three thousand private and community radio sta tions,
had a programme to help those who intended to return home to
which for all intents and purposes are autonomous. From the point of view of those who want to put a message
Timor Leste. KBR 68H proposed a concept for communicating
across, be they advertisers or social organisations, radio is clearly
information about this UNCHR programme, and about the kind
a very low cost option. To achieve per head targets, the money
of assistance that would be available to refugees if they returned.
they have to spend is negligible in comparison with other media.
This programme was aired
But, unfortunately, not many realise this, so radio invariably makes
on just six radio statio.ns in
up a very small portion of advertising spending. Much smaller
Kupang,Atrunbua,Soeand
than the amount spent on advertising on television and in
Maumere, the towns where refugees from Timor Leste were thought to be.
newspapers, and in no way comparable to its penetration.
The hope was that they would return home and live with differences in peace.
This is indeed a low cost media. On top of this is the friendly
They were able to hear these programmes broadcast from
character of radio, the close relationship it has with listeners,
the studio in Utan Kayu via these local radio stations. Naturally,
which serves as a catalyst for creative and innovative ideas about
we were delighted to hear that several refugees had gone round
the way these stations are managed. Programmes, naturally, cater
to
to listeners, and that creates a niche market. We at KBR 68B encapsulate this in the term "Social Market". A market created
do we go about getting home?" We revisited the refugee problem in a joint programme with
from social concern, activities oriented to the public. For KBR
the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in North
68H, the potential is even greater, because of its wide network,
Maluku. The scope of this programme was wider than just
reaching out to the most remote villages, and because it is flexible
providing a service for displaced people. The target a,:dience
enough to make programmes that address regional concerns.
was the entire community of North Maluku, torn to shreds by
the studio in Maumere to ask the people from UNHCR, "How
armed religious conflict. Some had fled to North Sulawesi, others
Reaching displaced people
to Maluku. So this programme focused on these three locations
In the immediate aftermath of the 1999 referendum in Timor
in the hope that they would teturn home and live with differences
Leste, the problem of displaced persons had to be dealt with. Thousands of people had been forced to cross over into West
in peace. This programme with UNDP involved not only radio talk
Timor because their villages had been burnt to the ground or
shows and public service announcements. These were backed
because of political differences unsettled even after the poll. In
up by advertisements in the print media, and direct campaigns
any case, most were in Atambua and Kupang, and some had
that involved producing and distributing promotional goods. We
gone as fat as Flores. The United Nations High Commission on
helped to design T-shirts and stickers, and distribute them via
Refugees (UNHCR), the UN body that deals with refugee matters,
radio programmes, for example as prizes for quizzes on the theme
96
The Social Market
Waves of Freedom
97
of reconciliation. These peacebuilding initiatives through raw
public service announcements. This campaign, called Gen Plltih,
programmes are believed to have had a positive impact, assisting
was designed to be participator y. On the radio we held a
the peace process and helping bring an end to the violence.
competition for listeners to design a radio jingle and almost 200 p eople sent in their creations. This roused anti-violence sentiments in Indonesia. At KBR 68H network stations that took part in this programme, we put up banners with anti-violence messages. '\fie wan ted this anti-violence stance to spread to the public. The violence w e oppose is not only ph ys ical. We have recorded many incidents of non-physical violence, notably discrimination against minority groups . On this issue, for example, KBR 68H has worked with UNAIDS to campaign against discrimination against people living with HIV/ AIDS. These people are often stigmatized and stereotyped, and these stereotypes affect how other people respond to people with HIV/ AIDS. We have tried to diminish this kind of behaviour by
One
0/ the tools 0/ the peace campaign in N011h Malttku.
There IPere T-shirts, banners, and stickers, too.
broadcasting radio programmes in cooperation with UNAIDS. This began with training for our own radio journalists, so that they would not discriminate against or perpetuate the stigmas associated with people with HIV/ AIDS.
Anti violence KBR 68H is against violence, and works to popularise this principle. We encourage communities to settle their problems,
Polley communication The platform built by KBR 68H with its nationwide network
their differences of opinion, and interests, peacefully. That why
has also proved useful for the government. They can use this
we seized the chance to work with the Indonesian National
instrument to communicate policies, especially urgent policies
Commission on Human Rights, Komnas HAM, in its campaign
that affect the lives of many. The network pioneered by KBR
against violence, itself a response to the violence that erupted
68H is far wider than the government's own network. That is
after the fall of the authoritarian regime.
why the people who are aware of this advantage do not hesitate
This joint programme with Komnas HAM involved regular weekly talk shows and la'ter the production and broadcast of
to make use of it.
98
The Social Market
Waves of Freedom
99
about polio vac cinations
In almost 140 of the se regencies, KBR 68H has network
through a four stage campaign. This programme is vital because
members. In the remaining 60 or so regencie s, there are no radio
after years of being polio free this crippling disease re-emerged,
stations at all. It was this radio network that we offered to the
affecting more tnan three hundred children in seyeral provin ces.
state minister in order to reach those living in underdeveloped
The call to vaccinate 20 million children obviously required a
parts of the country. KBR 68H immediately set about creating a
\vide reaching, in expensiye and easily accessible instrument of
special programme to discuss both the potential and the problems
communicati on. Likewis e, when the government was srruggling
in these regencies. This programme was given the name 1I1itra
to explain the fuel price hikes - never a popular policy - K BR
DoeI'd (Regional Partners). The aim: to provide a forum for
We helped to spread the
me ~sage
the message across. So,
underdeyeloped regencies to promote their potential and attract
any intention on the part of government to downsize the K BR
investment. Mitra Doerah also gives people an opportunity to
68H network to just a few stations would be inappropriate, which
voice their aspirations for their home regions.
68H worked with the government to
ge~
is what Government Regulation N o. 50 / 2005 does by limiting the coverage of a radio network to 15% of the total number of districts. As well as government departments, state owned enterprises have rapidly come to recognise the benefits of communicating via a radio network as wide as KBR 68H's. In recent times, we have helped communicate messages from several publ ic companies, including PL'\J, Pertamina and the government-rull pawnshops.
Mitra Daerah (Regional Partners) One day at the end of 2004, the State Minister for the Dcnlopmen r of L nderdevel oped Regi o ns, Saifullah Yusu f, announced that there were 199 underdevel o ped regencies in
rlale Millister/o.,. thr De!'CIrrpllleJIl 0/ Ulldm/I've/oped RegiollS, Saiji,//ah Yusuj, rllld Faisa/ Bam~
011
the jirst Mitra Darra/) talk
J/)OUJ
Indonesia. One of the characteristics of these regi ons is a lack rh e ~e
The .\.[itra D t/c1ra b programme was launched by the minister,
develop these regions, adequ ate
In a first edition that also featured economist Faisal Basri.
of access to information. Communication facilitie s in districts are minimal. Yet
to
Subsequent editions featured regents and social activists
information is a mu st.
Concerned about the deye!op ment of underdeveloped regions '.
100
Waves of Freedom
in Indonesia. This programme again demonstrated the relevance
--
101
The Social Market
managing advertising spots, which were very limited. There
participation across Indonesia. From one end of the country to
weren't enough spots to meet demand. Public enthusiasm for the 2004 elections, largely
the other, we are there.
motivated by the direct presidential elections, helped to improve
of KBR 68H in communicating information and inviting public
the performance of KBR 68H. We became more confident that
Direct general elections We tend to look back at 2004 as a positive year. N ot only because of the business opportunities afforded by th e general election, but also because the advantages of a wide reaching radio network like KBR 68H were clearly demonstrated.
Mitra Daerah responds to the lack of access to information in underdeve/ oped regions. From one end of the country to the other we are there.
our business model, targeting the social market, benefited the public and thereby
gave us the chance for survival.
That year, Indonesia held two elections. First, general elections for members of parliament (DPR) and the house of regional representatives (DPD). And second, a direct presidential election,
Illiteracy Today, one of our biggest challenges is eradicating illiteracy. In Indonesia, there are still around 15 million people who are
the first in Indonesia since independence. We began by producing election education programmes,
illiterate. They are concentrated in 9 provinces, including East
such as Dari Bilik Suara (From The Voting Booth) long before
Java, Central Java and Papua. Most of these illiterate adults, as
the elections. This was crucial, because for voters the 2004
one might imagine, come from poor families, isolated from
elections were new in many ways. Election laws had
various kinds of information access. B'l.t they can probably be
to
be
participation. These programmes gained broad support fro m
reached by radio broadcasts. The Department of National Education has a target
organisations like the General Election Commission (KPU) and
the number of people who are unable to read and write by 2009.
the Election Monitoring Committee (Panwaslu), as well as
That means around 7 million peopl,e will have to be helped so
independent election watchdogs.
that they can learn
socialised and election schedules publicised to ensure public
to
to
halve
read within the next four years. Radio
Then, when the campaign season was decided, the KBR
could playa major role in this. Especially a radio network like
68H network attracted the interest of candidates and political
KBR 68H. We could produce programmes that would help
parties. We had to work hard
illiterate people
to
make sure that all contestants
to
learn to read. Is radio not a theatre of the
got a fair shot at the limited opportunities available. No one
minJ? We could be a vehicle for the education of this marginal
should get more exposure than the others. The time around the
group.
general election was the one and only time we have had a problem
7
I
To the ends of the country
t'S daybreak at Bintuni Bay. The fresh aroma of steaming earth rises up from the road . The only road in this newly formed regency. It's only about 5 kilometres long. No
crossroads. No traffic lights. The office buildings are all lined
up on either side of the road. Including Radio Merbau, the first and only radio station in this area that become a regency in 2003. The station was set up by a small g roup of young local people w.ith the help of KBR 68H. Suddenly, the road is filled with the shouts of children chasing a deer. That morning, an unfortunate deer had wandered on to the road, which is no t far from the edge of a fo rest. And the teenagers immediately gave chase. Very soon, it might turn up as dried meat in Bintuni Market. This was the first time I had ever seen a deer nearly pay a visit to a radio station. But that was just a small part of the unique experience we have had o pening up access to information in remote areas by helping colleagues set up radio stations in regencies that were previously devoid of media. In Namlea on Buru Island, we set up a radio station before there was a power supply to the studio. 103
To the Ends of the Country
105
After almost two years of waiting, we were relieved when
-
electricity poles were erected in front of the studio even though
conflict, human rights violations and other problems. Which is
there was still no power supply
whY an independent media as a source of information and a
104
Waves of Freedom
to
light up Radio Rana, the fir st
radio station on Buru Island. In Tual, we were pleased that the initiative to set up a radio . station was warmly welcomed by the local people. The station was even officially opened by the Tual regent, accompanied by the ranks of local government officials. But a few months later,
operation of this scale is fertile ground for social problems, land
means of public participation was a must. Radio Merbau FM, which airs on 82.9 FM, is named after a much sought after and co stlv kind of wood from Papua. The Radio M erbau
The station in Bintuni was set up because this is a very isolated area, despite being the location of a $ 6.2 billion investment
aired on this station. He was very much instrumental in an attempt
building, which stands on the side of the road, is quite high up. Its location is very strategic
to force the closure of this radio station.
and practically everything going on among the inhabitants of
the regent became overly sensitive to the criticism and talk shows
this small town reaches the Merbau studio. Construction was
Radio Merbau, Blntunl, West Irian Radio Merbau went on air for the first time in March 2005,
delayed because of difficulties getting materials like cement, steel, and ceramic tiles. The completion date was to have been
about a year after the idea was first conceived of. This racli
November 2004, but this kept getting put back, and the building
station for the people of Bintuni was one of the hardest to set
was finally completed in February 2005. Even then there was
up, given the technical challenges and transportation problems,
still no water supply. If they needed water, the Radio Merbau
and the difficulty of procuring spare parts and making necessary
crew had to go and fetch it from a neighbour's house. Once the
repairs. But thanks to the dedication of the local crew, headed
building was up and the station on air, we turned our attention
by Anni Ukru, Radio Merbau is doing well. The station ran on a diesel generator up until January 2006, when a power supply
to building a well. When the Merbau studio building was ready to move into,
was finally installed.
we focused on getting the equipment out there. Almost all this
The idea for a radio station in Bintuni arose because this is a
equipment was ready and waiting at KBR 68H in Jakarta. The
very isolated area, despite being the location of a US$ 3.4 billion
transmitter, the tower, the studio equipment. All this was shipped
BP drilling ope'ration. If everything goes according to plan, by
from Jakarta on 14 February, and arrived in Bintuni on 21
2008 these gas fields will start production. The government will
February 2005. Then we put up the tower, installed the studio,
rake in revenue of US$ 6.2 billion over 20 years. Our question
and did test broadcasts. Radio M erbau, Bintuni, went on air for
is: What impact will this have on the local people? Before Radio Merbau was established, there was no radio
the first time in mid-March 2005. This station immediately began functioning as an information
station or local print media in this regency. Usually, a drilling
source, including for the regent elections scheduled for September
106
To the Ends of the Country
Waves of Freedom
107
2005. ;\Ierbau provided a way for candidates for regent to pr esent
isolated regency. Out of the blue, it is at the centre of a billio n
their work plans, a nd th e public could ph o ne in with th cir
dollar international project. That is why media are needed. To
comments. The regent elected was one of the candidates "'he
bridge the huge gap between the se two worlds.
regu larly made use of the opportunities offered by Merbau
f(lf
Radio Matoa, Manokwari, West Irian
by voter education. Setting up Radio iHerbofi also boosted grow th in sa les ot
Radio Matoa was the first radio station to be established under
tran sistor radios. Shops that previousl y neve r sold any radios
the MDLF and N e therland s Emba ssy radi o devel o pment
were now sold o ut. This ha s helped stimulate the economy a bit
programme in Eastern Indonesia. This station is three years old,
and the se shops now advertise the electronics they sell.
counting from the date o f its conception. And it is two years since it first went on air. This station plays a key role in information distributi on in Manokwari. On the KBR 68H talk shows that are relayed to Matoa, many of the callers are from Manok\\'ari. They participate in public dialogue on various issues. The station also contributes reportage, on illegal logging for instance, and particularly on the controversy over the se paration of the province of West Irian from Papua, A favourite topic of Radio llifatoa listeners is the for matio n of the Papu a People's A ssembly. This is a crucial issue, one that is raised by various civil so ciety groups, thereby demonstrating the seriousness of their participation in local poli tical processes.
Radio M erbaJl FM, Billllllli, West Iriall. The bllildillg backs on to forest
Radio Jl.1atoa was also acti\-e in conducting voter education
Radio Mer/Jail is the o nly m edia, the only information bridgc
for the gubernatorial elections in this newly formed province.
between the multi-million dollar natural gas project in T angguh
The election was postponed repeatedly, as a result of a con flict
and the local communities living around it. On severa l occasions.
of interests b etwee n the loc al elite, who were against the
Jiscus si on ~
separation of the pro,-ince, and civil sen-ants in Jakarta who
on this station to explain its policies, for example on recruitment.
were pushing for setting up the new province of West Irian .
This is important in stopping local people and m igrants who are
Radio played a key role in publicising these changes, keeping the
looking for employment at BP from raising their ho pes too high.
local peo ple up to date on when the elections would take place.
BP has stepped into the public arena, taking part in
when job openings are few and far between. Bintuni is a sm all,
To the Ends of the Country
109
A nd providing infor ma ti o n abou t th e c411dicia tes and rl1 eir
-
platforms.
rq~ent , and public response has b een g ood. RI,difl M alon, whose
~08
Waves of Freedom
This radio stati o n '\Vas officiall,' opened by the i\:[anokwari
The idea to se t up Radio1\10100 in Manokwa ri was first thought
name is take n from the name of a Papuan fruit, is bec oming
of in 2002 by Yan \\7arinussy, a dedicated human rights activist
more widely know n, A gww ing audie nce is tuning into its
in Papua. For his work, he received a human rights award from
programmes - including the ones su pp lied by K13 R 68H. Visits
an organisation in Canada. Rudto ,\fatoa was established to provide
to
information to the local people. At that time, there were no p ri\-ate
identified personnel management as a major problem. As a result
Radio 1\1&//00 and communications \\-ith its management have
radio station s in Manokwa ri. Th e station's local stakehold ers
of rapid staff turnover, ne"- personnel have to be recruited,
include NGO activists, journalists, and local investors. Together
making im'cstment in human resource s dcyelopment more
with KB R 68H, they then set up a company, PT Gunung I\ l cja
difficult.
:Media, to manage Radio M aloa. T his limited liability compam received assistance to se t up the station and to cover its ini tial operating costs. But owing
to
delays in prepara tions in
Manokwari, it ,vasn't until D ecember 2003 that the station was officially opened and started broadcasting, alm os t 18 months after the idea was first discussed.
RadilJ Nlaloa:r direrf(!!; H e/"/l/(III L mgalll.
COIlr!IIc1illg a ll i lllcrl'iell"
Prom the technic al aspect, dIe location of the studio far from a major populatio n centre presents a problem in itself. It is difficult for listen ers
to
visi t the station, and the journalists han
to spend more time commuting to th e office. Its loca tion presents [\t/(/io MalOtI, '\ [" lIoklnm; IFi'sl f rial/.
0"
.\1OIlIlIlICIII
lop oj a
hi/I,
doSt 10
!/Ji" j ap allese
a challenge for market in g staff, too, as m os t po tential clients ha\' c their office s in Manobvar i w\\·n . Bu t , in t erms of
Waves of Freedom
To the Ends of the Country
transmission signal, this is a strategic choice of location because
-
the transmitter is on the top of a hill, and Matoa broadcasts can
from the people of Tual and surrounding areas.
110
1'avlul has continually improved its performance, gaining support
.....
be heard in other districts, such as Wasior.
111
-.-
Radio Gelora Tavlul, Tual, Southeast Maluku R£zdio Celora Tat'lttl is an example of a successful local radio station. This station was started on the initiative of the Hivlak Foundation, an environmental NGO in Tual, headed by Yos Rettobjaan. Established in 1995, the Hiv lak Foundatio n is involved in many activities, especially for coastal and marine conservation in Tual. When the Ambon conflict spread to Tual in 1999, the foundation's activists played a key role in initiatives to build peace between Christians and Muslims. Tavlul is the name of a rock in the sea close to Tual, used by locals as a signal of incoming winds or waves.Tavlul is the bringer of ne\vs, and a landmark for fishermen at sea. And that is the
Celom 'favllli director, Yos Retto/::jaan, gil'ing a speech at the official opening of the statioll. This media is q{ erJortnOIlJ importance to the local community
purpose of Radio Celora Tavlul. Gelora Tavlul was officially opened by the Tual regent on 2 August 2004. This opening was far later than planned, owing
Although this radio station was officially opened by the
to
regent, a problem subsequently arose because its talk shows and
technical problems that arose when setting up this radio station.
coverage were seen as overly critical of this leader. Tavlul exposed
For example, the GO-metre tower that was to have been erected
cases of corruption in the local health service and in the
in the centre of town had to be moved because it interfered with
development of housing for displaced people. The regent voiced
air traffic control. The tower was moved to the yard outside the
his objections on a number of occasions, and then asked the
H;vlak office, along with a 3,000 Watt transmitter. This means
:Ministry for Communications and Information to close down
that Radio Celom Tavlttl has broadcast from
The opening ceremony attracted quite a crowd. The regent
the station. But sympathy came from community groups that did not
was joined by his deputy, local government officials including
want the station to be closed down. Solidarity came from within
the local parliament leader, local police, the head of RRJ, and
Indonesia and from overseas. Letters of support from overseas
around 50 other guests . Speeches made at the event were
came from organisations such as the Committee to Protect
broadcast live on R£zdio Celom Tav/tli. Since going on air last year,
Journalists (New York) and the Brussels-based International
twO
locations.
112
Wa ves of Freedom
Federation of Journalists. l.etters of pro tes t addressed
--
To the Ends of the Country
113
the
Some o f Gelora Tadul's programmes are relayed from KBR
r egent \\' ere se nt by tbe national and f\Ialuku offices of the Indon esian Broadcasti ng Commission.
68H, but m ost are local prog rammes, especially news and so ng
-\t the end o f N ove mber, the Koba,. Al a/llkll tal k ~ho\\.
were trained at KBR 68H or DAIS Ambon, but co nsistency can
Lo
discusscd the regent's attempt to muz zle Radio C elora Tal'/Ii/.
request programmes. Some of th e staff at Radio C elom Tav/tli
be difficult
to
achieve becau se, o nce trained, they tend to move
Listeners' reaction s varied, but most were critical of the regent
on. Although most
for interfering \\·ith the How of information. Callers hail ed nOt
staff are new to
only from Tual, but from other districts in i\ Ialuku, su ch as
rad io, they do appear
Namlea and l\Iasohi. They backed Tadul in the face of th e threats
enthu siastic. Some
made by the regent. This problem has yet
haye experience as
rege nt still
\Ya11t S
to
Radif) C e/o ra Tarill / closed down, bur th e
management of this radio station is determined do not want facilit\·.
to
be resoh-ed. T he
Tavlul is the name of a rock that gives warning of incoming winds or waves. Tavlul is the bringer of news, and a landmark fo r fish ermen.
newspaper jo urnalists.
hold out. They
Personnel problems aside, the station has been plagued by
Stop bro8dcasts from this station, this pub lic
technica l hitches too. For in sta nce, during talk shows the voices
to
of listeners calling in are not clear enough to be aired live because the station does not have h~·brid telephone facilities. For reporter s, there is a de sperate shortage of recording equipment. To entich staff knowledge, the station subscribes to new spaper s and magaz in es on healt h and sports and other sources of informati on that does not stale quickly. In January 2005, a Gelora Tadul reporter was again invited to train at KBR 6RH. I Ie joined six othe r reporters from;\faluku (Masohi, Namlea, Saumlaki, Ambon, Banda Neira and D obo) on the two -week internship. As well as honing th ei r journalistic skills, they also made plans for a spe cial Maluku news programme, called Kabar Mal/(k/(, which is broadcast daily. This progr amme was later developed in cooperation \\"ith the J\·Ialuku Media Centre, an organisation 'in l\mbon brought into being by Alliance of
Tbe regeJI/ officia/!)' opflli/~g tbe Radio Gelora Tadll/ stlldio ill "Fila/,
SlJlltbea.rt .\ {a/Ilk/(. J .(ilr,. b~ 1/I(/1l1~rI it r/oJed dOIl'1I
Independent Journalists (l-\JI) . Initia ll y, K'1ba r Ala/Ilk/{ broadca st news contributed b y reporters from these seven regencies, but has since expanded to
114
-
Waves of Freedom
North Maluku. For the first time ever, they are able to get rapid and regular updates on what is happening in the other
regencie~ .
This programme is a firm favourite with listeners, as e\-idt::nCt d by the fact tha t when Radio RCJO' ll'1111ia in Banda N eira s uffered damage to its transmi tter and was unable to broadcast, many listeners used their parabola an tenna to tune into this programme direct from sa telli teo
--
To the Ends of the Country
115
Radio Billojlo went on air for the first time in January 2004,
se : months afte r the team was formed. This was fast work, n n ~\"cn the difficulties in getting the equipment for a radio sta tion out to a place like Masohi. Setting up the station, th e team
naturallY ran into plenty of tethnical hitches - no power supply and a broken generator, to name just two. But th ese problems we re iro ned out. The station was officially opened by the Central }\Ial uku deputv regent on 26 April 2004. The opening ceremony
Radio Binaya, Masohi, Central Maluku Radio Billa)'a is managed and ow ned b y PT Radio Suara Masohi. This limi ted liability company was set up on the initiative
was attended by local government officials and lo cal members of parliament, as well as representatives of partner organisations, including UNDP and local NGOs.
of KBR 68H, Radio DMS, NGO activists in t-.lasohi, and local investors. The idea beh ind the formation of this team wa s to have a group of people who shared a common perception of
RCldio Billqya 's public service mission, and who would manage the station sustainably. One might say that this station was built to replace Radio Du!a A1/1.iik SeraJi, which was burned to the grou nd by a mob during the riots on 1 January 2000. When the company to manage this radio station in Cen tral :-hluku \\'as being set up, prospective backers were informed of their rights and responsibilities. KBR 68B was to be responsible for provision of equipment, technical assistance and managerial suprort, and local ilwcstors were asked to provide the land and building for the studio. NGO activists and local journalists would have the job of managing the st.atio n. Land was provided by local inn: stors, and equipment provided by KBR 68 B with
SO!Jle of tbe Radio Billl!J'C! rrm' pOJe/ or a photo olltJide tbe stt/dio
assistance from MDLF and UNDP. The equipment and building, and th e land o n which the station sta nd s, are assets of the company.
In its early days, Radio Billaya relayed a lot o f KBR 68B programmes. But \\"ith the incre ase in staff capaci ty through training, the number of KBR 68B prog rammes th e station
116
To the Ends of the Country
Waves of Freedom
117
rebroadcast gradually dwindled, to leave only na ti ona l
revenue, as do joint programmes. This station even reached the
programmes like B1I/etin, Kabar Baru and talk shows. Instead, local
stage where it had to make tables and benches to put in the yard
programmes were developed, such as the morning news and Chat
outside the studio to accommodate listeners who want to submit
programme, Se/amat Pagi Masohi (Good Morning, Masohi), and
song requests. Radio Binq)'a allows the people of '\[asohi talk to each other.
the afternoo n programme, A 1I/boina Song. These local news and talk show programmes take up about 2.5 hours of air time every day, excluding programmes developed in cooperation with other
It also serves to remind us all: Reqllesting songs for each other is
preferable to bllrning d07lm each olber's houses.
partners, such as the talk show produced with the regional general election commission ahead of the 2004 general election!
RadIo Rana, Namlea, Buru Island The process of setting up a radio station in Namlea on Buru Island began in February 2004, with a meeting of the members of the team that would be "vorking on this pr o ject. But consolida tion took time because the meetings were held in '\ mbon, making it difficult for all the proposed team mernbers to
attend . A meeting in April 2004 had to be abandoned when
violence suddenly erupted again in Ambon. The team members split up and returned home se para tely to Namlea.
A lVidio i3il1a)"CI presmfer relllinds lo(al people to refraiHfrol7l lIiolence. Smd ill a so,~ reqlfest instead
Radio Billl1'y{I S prospects for growth are good, because thi s is the only radio station in Masohi and advertising is an established behaviour among local bu siness es..Also, song requests bring in
Radio Rana stl/dio, Nallllea, Burt! Island
118
Waves of Freedom
To the Ends of the Country
119
But communication ,vas maintained, and priority was given
the front of studio. Electricity penetration fo r households in
getting the loc ati o n
Indo nesia is still low. Even in West Java and Banten, close to
ready. A local inve sto r
Jakarta, 40 percent of homes do not have electricity. Never mind
provided the land to build
outside Java. So, we were pleased to see a substation being
the office and studio On.
installed in front of the
The team foc u sed it s
studio. After almost two
efforts on comple ti ng
years, we were still
construction
the
waiting for a power
building and getting the
supply. We were upset at
equipment ready to go on
the thought of the directors of PLN enjoying their bonuses even
air.
though the company was in the red.
to
A parabola, the llIoin piece of eq1liplJ1e1lt for a satellite based radio lie/work
of
In the past, you could lose your life on this island just for reading a newspaper. Now he's back, helping to get information to the people living on Buru Island.
One of the bigg es t
In the meantime, to supply Radio Ranawith electricity, a petrol
problems was with th e
generator was installed, even though this would mean higher
power supply. The local
operating costs. The station management tried to be patient, as
office of PLN, the public
calm the station's namesake, Lake Rana.
electricity utility, h ad promised to connect the
Radio Rana went on air in November 2004 . But the station
was plagued by technical problems, mainly due to the un stable
Radio Rana office for the regular fee. When Rana agreed, PLN said that there would be an
power supply. In Januar y 2005, the blower in the transmitter
additional fee for the three electricity poles needed to reach the
broadcasting. Fixing the damage took some time because the
station. This was the cause of some consternation for Radio Rana ~
blower had to be taken to Jakarta for repairs. Fortunately, that
management. During the negotiations, PLN then revealed that
month KBR 68Hwas conducting a technical training so the
there \\'ould be other additional expenses, because Radio Ral1a
blower could be fixed at the same time, after which broadcasts
would need its own substation which the station would have to
returned to normal.
pay for. Wie decided not to install electricity, and to wait instead until the regular electricity lin es reached as far as the station.
stopped working, causing the transmitter to shut down and stop
And, on 7 March 2005, this station was officially opened by the Buru regent. Attending the opening ceremony was a member
We \vere delighted by each small step in the advance of the
of the Board of Commissioners of KBR 68H who had personal
power lines towards the studio. \Xfe were sure it was juSt a matter
experience of this island. Pak Tedjabayu was imprisoned without
of time and we would have electricity, because the regent's office
trial on the island for years, his liberty seized by the New Order
is nearby. We cheered when the electricity poles finally reached
regIme. His crime, if indeed there was any, was never proven.
120
To the Ends of the Country
121
He was one of hundreds of thousands of victims of the stJll
-
obscured dark history of 1965. Along with tens of thou sands
format is broadcast for an hour o n Saturdays (15.06-16.00). A
of other political detainees, Pak Tedjo was dumped on Buru
free phone line is available for listeners to call in at no cost.
Waves of Freedom
Island. This time he was returning a free man.
~Ionda\' to Friday at 16.30-16.45 local time, and a talk show
As weU as the day's news, Kabar Maluku has also aired public
In his address at the opening ceremony, Pak Tedjo recalJed
sen'ice advertisements on the direct district head elections. This
that once you might have been beaten to death on this islan d
\'car several regencies in lv[aluku, such as Southeast Maluku, are
just for reading a newspaper, an ac t strictly forbidden by the
holding direct district head elections. So, there is a need to
military authorities. Now he was back, helping to get informa rj o n
publicise the various election related regulations and polici es.
to the people living on Buru Island. Hi s moving words tOuched
Kabar Ma/uk1f. also exposes irregularities in development projects
the hearts of everyone present, including the regent an d districl military commander.
and corruption in local government, for instance, cases of aid
Kabar Maluku
funds allocated for displaced p eople that never reached the people they were intended for. To begin with, the programme was relayed only by KBR 68 H
T his programme seeks to fill the information vacuum th at
network stations in Ivlaluku, such as DMS (Ambon) , Binaya
exists in Maluku where the population is spread across a number
(Masohi), Gelom Ta vbti (Tual) , Rana (Namlea), DejiJatar (Saumlaki),
of islands. There has never been a means for people living in
and radio stations in Banda Neira and Dobo. But in time, because
these regencies to interact rapidly and easily. For example, people
it was considered appropriate, stations in North Maluku (Gema
living in Namlea or Southeast Maluku rarely know what is
Hikma/J in Ternate, SPB in Tobelo and Gema Pertill)i in Bacan
happening in Central Maluku. The regencies are far from each
Island) also began relaying Kabar j\1aluku. And the reports from
oth er, separated by sea, and transp ortation is poor. All of which
North Maluku added variety to the programme and its content.
impedes communication. Newspapers printed in Ambon take
Since its launch, the number of statio n s broadcasting Kabal'
days to reach Saumlaki, and even then delivery is unreliable.
J\Ja/lIku has doubled to fifteen.
The spread of the conflict in Ambon to o ther regencies
The Saturday talk show, which was originally 30 minutes long,
pointed to a need for efforts to promote peace and tolerance to
is now a one-hour programme. The time was extended because
the islands outside Ambon. :rhat why the regular radio broadcasts
of the high level of participation of lis teners in Maluku each
of Kabar Mall/ku are so important.
time the programme was aired. On the 60th an~iversary of
Kabar Malt/ku consists ,of· a compilation of reports from
J\'faluku province, for 'instance, the flag of the South MaJuku
various regencies in Maluku, put together by the KBR 68H
Republic separatist movement was raised in several places. This
editorial team. The progran1me is then rebroadcast via satellite
made for a hot topic of conversation involving many listeners.
and the KBR 68H network members in Maluku. It is aired
122
To the Ends of the Country
Waves of Freedom
123
During the o ne-hour talk show, at least 15 callers went o n ai r,
iO\'es tigative programme on the disbursement of funds meant
and doze ns of text messages poured into KBR 68H.
for displaced persons. The reporting in the field took place over
This MDLF-sponso red talk show was later developed in a cooperation between the I:Vlaluku l'vIedia Centre (MMe) , the All ia n ce o f I ndependent Journalists and Free Voic e. Tht:y
tWO
weeks and produced four in-depth reports of 30 minutes
each, which were aired on KBR 68H. In terestingly, as a result of this programme the Tual rege nt
encou raged radio stations in Maluku to make detailed reports
tried to close down Radio Gelora T at'llil because h e was unhappy
for broadcas t on the talksh ow version of the programme, Kab.-··
about the report produced by the station on corruption in the
jUalukl! Interaktif. MMC produces at least one or two radio
Southeast Maluku regional health service. He sent a letter to the
fe atures a week for this programme.
Ministry for Communica tions and Information requesting that &dio Gelora Tavlul be closed down, but when Tavlul continued
Radi o Statio ns Rel aying K ab ar Maluku I No
Slalion
Free
Cit'L
to broadcast he threaten~d to force its closure. This attempt to
mu zzle Tavlul was the topic of a Kabar l'ilaluku Interaktif
Masohi, Maluku
programme at the end of November 2005. Reactio ns came from
Banda Naira , Maluku
listeners not only in Tual, but also in Namlea, Masohi, and other
Tual, Ma luku
towns in Maluku. They were critical of the Southeast Maluku
Dobo, Maluku
regent for interfering with press freedom. Thanks to this public
102.6 FM
Saumlaki, Maluku
suppor t, Radio Gefora Tallllli has remained on air, broadcasting to
DMS
100.9 FM
Ambon , Maluku
7
Naviri
92 .5 FM
Ambon, Maluku
listeners as usual. Maintaining and safeguarding freedom must be done in
8
Gema Pertiwi
106.8 FM
Labuha, North Ma luku
unison .
9
Swa ra Saruma
103.8 FM
Bacan, North Maluku
10
SPB
105.8 FM
Tobelo , North Maluku
11
Media Perjuangan FM
12
1
Binaya
2
Resthy Mu lya
3
Gelora Tavlul
4
MeSA
5
Defnatar
6
104.6 FM ~
,
. J
92.5 FM 88 FM 93.5 FM
95 FM
Sanana , North Maluku
Gema Hikmah
103.4 FM
Ternate, North Maluku
13
Rana
103.7 FM
Namlea , Maluku
14
Pelangi
103.5 FM
Ambon , Maluku
15
Kabares i
99.2 FM
Ambon , Maluku
T he cooperation between the KBR 68 H editorial team and the sta tions in Maluku also intensified, including via a joint
124
To the Ends of the Country
Waves of Freedom
125
starved of Information, Yahu klmo goes
-)
hungry
....J
In early December 200S, we h eard some dreadful new~ .
',J
.\round SS people had starnd
v
accumulated food shortage over the pre\ious four month" .j
" •
j
BACAN
.J.J
~
~-;ANANA
--'
.~
•
-~--
...
AMBON
J
I ..)
~
~
•
~ "' ~---=- .J. , ,
.~
-. '-.
; -,-
' ~ ~
...
BANoANEIRA
J ..\ '--:,
TUALrI
..
, ,." ,J.,,~. .. ~ .
'
-
•
t\\"()
days or so a person died of hunger in
this regency in the Jayawijava mountains. Crop failure, nature"
;' -j
• ~-~.
)
mea ning that e\Try
, J
NAMLEA~
~
death in Yahukimo di~rrict in
Pap ua . They had nor all died at once, but were the victims of an
:J J" I
to
-.J
cruelty, was to bbme for the death of our brothers and sisters in Papua_ The question is: wll\' did it take four months for news of thi.:; humanitarian tragedy
to
filter through? \'\'1w \\-as ,his food
shortage nOt known about earlier, and the deaths prevented? '-.1"---...
"-
.a
oOBO"
Herein lies the irnponance of the ava ilabilitv of information. T he rVlinister for the Development of Underdeveloped Regions, Saifullah Yusuf, quite rightly pointed our that this sitLlation had no t been handled promptly because the Jakarta gm'crnment had not heard of it sooner. l\nd it was not only Jakarta that learned of this tragedy too late. Even the local go\"ernment was nor
,
immediately aware that its people were on the brink of death , witb stomachs distended for want of food.
i f the information had come sooner the Papu:1 regional
j
gon:rnment could certainlv ba\'c acted more quickly, because in the government warehouses in nearby \Xiamena there were lS0 tons of rice. With the help of missionan- planes, the army or Freeport, these rice stocb could ha\"e been distributed to the
Kabar M aluk14 broadcasters, crossing provil1cial borders
people living in Yabuki1l1o. Especially giyen the !c\-els of national rice stocks, it is bard to belic\-c tbat tbere
\\'a,
a pl ace \\-here
people werc going hungry. As soon as this disaster C:1me the J aka rta gO\-ern m ent se nt 13 tons of food
to
to
lighr,
Yahu ki11lo, while
126
Waves of Freedom
To the Ends of the Country
the Papua regional gm-ernmen t immediateh- dis tributed 2
ton~
of biscuits to the area.
\,\Ihen the government identified 199 regencies in Indo nesia as ·underdeveloped regiom', KBR 68H immediately checked this
So, food was available, but not where it was needed. Logi stics m a n ager~
127
list off against the list of KBR 68H network members. Out of
did no t get the information about the life and death
the 199 districts, 140 had radio stations. Most were set up by
battle that was going on in Yahukimo. H unger occur~ not becl ust;
p rn ate initiati ve . Thr o ugh t hi s network, challen ges a nd
of lack of foou, but becau.~e of the di sa ll oca tion that arises from
opportut11t1es in developing underdeveloped regio n s co uld be
lack of inform ation. It was l\martya Sen, winner of the Nobd
broadcast. That was the n otion behind the launch of Milra
priz e for economics, who drew thi s concl us ion. A nd yet \\".:
J),'t'rab, a radio programme on under-deve loped regions.
continue
to
disregard the imp orta nc e of ava il abilit\· o f
information for the well-being of our people.
But, that still left alm ost 70 regencies \vith no mass media , not a single radio station or newspaper. So radio stations urgently
It is not onl\' Yahukimo re ge nc\' that is starved of
need to be set up in these locations. It would not cost mu ch to
information . For the whole o f eastern Indonesia, there are onl)
d o, a nd financial s upp ort cOllld eYCI1 be so ug ht from
1.7 million copies o f print media for around 43 million people.
org a ni sa tion s conc erne d
If one newspaper is read by 5 people, this mean s that less than
underdeye10 ped regions. All that is needed is the will.
20°;', of the population of eastern I ndone sia has access
about the development of
print
At the same time the usc of exist in g stations In
media. This level of penetration of information through prin t
underdeveloped regiom for distributing information needs to
media is extremely low.
Besid es low purchasing powa, and
be maximised. i\Ianagerial capacity need, to be built through
distribution difficulties caused by the geography of the area, th e
training to enable m anagers to better serve the public interest.
leyel of newspaper consumption is also influenced by the strong
\\,ith these stations reporting regularly on the si tu ation in their
ora l tradition in easte rn Ind o nesia. j\fany people live in oral
areas, and ha\-ing the means to spread their messages to a wider
cultures, without writing
to
~ystem,.
So, an approp riate media for this area; and for rc:mote area, in ge neral, is radio. Setting up a radio station is not costly. The
audience through the network, it is hoped that the government in Jakarta wi ll rapidly be appraised of impo rtant information from the regions, especially underde\-cloped ones.
technology is a\-aibble. l\nd, most important, it reaches everyom:.
In doing so the aim is to preyent the rec urrence of trage di es
People do not haye to pay to listen to the radio. People w ho
like tbe o ne in Yahukimo regency, resulting from a lack of
cannot read or w rite c·a n enjoy radio programmes. Radio is a
information or not getting information yuickh- enough.
ve r~·
effective Wa\· of communicating mes sages and information.
A nd this is th e strategy that n ee ds to be adopted to ge t information to underdevelo ped regions.
.... ~ ~ :::.
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Rising above the tsunami
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relieved after the trauma of the strange route our journey had taken. The flight from Jakarta to Banda Aceh usually
only passes through Medan. But our plane touched down in
OJ
.....
e plane was about to land in Banda Aceh. I felt rather
l:, '$'" ..,..
Padang, then headed southeast for Palembang, before going on
'"..... ':::>"'"'""
to lVIedan and Banda Aceh. We could understand the div"ersion,
~--% ;;;-
because the airfields in Medan and Banda Aceh, during that first
-:::
~"
week of January 2005, were in disarray as a result of the upsurge
","
~ ~.
in air traffic. We couldn't complain. Because this was a flood of
,,;
humanitarian solidarity for those affected by the tsunami. And,
""
;:,
'"
& '"
~ ~
~
~
~
<-' "
t>
anyway, we were almost at our destination. Suddenly, the stewardess announced, "We will shortly be arriving at Banda Aceh. There are no porters to help you with your luggage. Please take your own luggage off the plane. Good
~
"' . ~.
~
luck." I was rather surprised. No porters? There were 15 of us
<$
in a group, members of a team that would be reconstructing
~ 2;:..
damaged radio station s. Some of us would be digging wells. But
~
... '"
~" <:>
::t
\ve had a fair bit of luggage with us" When \ve weighed in at Cengkareng airport that morning, the scales registered about three 129
130
Waves of Freedom
Rising Above the Tsunami
131
tons. Quite a lot to be dragging out of the hold of a plane by
that hard. We invited along some well diggers, and set off for
yourself.
Aceh. We could n't betray our listeners.
But I didn't want to say anything. This was the biggest natural
r\rrivi ng at Jalan Fatahillah, where Radio Prima was going to
disaster we'd ever had in modern Indonesian history. Nobod)
be rebuilt, we pitched our tents. I made my space as comfortable
was prepared for it. The airport was in chaos. By the tim c we
as I could. This would be our hom e for th r,ee or four weeks. So,
disembarked from the plane it was dark, close to midnight. We
best make it comfy.
immediately rolled up our sleeves and got out all our gear. There
Sleeping in a tent,
were supplies for the team for a month including rice, drinking
under the stars, is
water, instant noodles and what not. Plus tents and survival
wonderful. Th at night
equipment. We didn't want to impose on anyone while we were
we began making plans for the task ahead: reconstructing Radio
in Aceh. And that's as it should have been. We'd come to help.
Prima and setting up Radio Tanll!ir MuhallJlnadij'ah, as well as
So we ought
building wells for drinking water.
to
have everything sorted beforehand.
It' ~as a pretty unusual combination.A team to build radio stations and wells. Almost none of us knew each other before the tsunami.
Apart from supplies, there was the equipment for setting up radio stations. Transmitters, mixers, studio equipment, computers,
Building radio stations
generators. Everything except a tower, which wo uld be sent by
When the KBR 68H team arrived in Aceh on 6 Januar y 2005,
truck. Then there was the equipment for drilling wells - metal
our main target was to set up two radio ' stations. Reconstruct
pipes and water pumps - which had been donated by KBR 68H
Radio Prima, which had been swallo\ved up by the tsunami, and
listeners. We had brought a team of well diggers with us, eight
help build a community radio station for the local branch of
people recruited via KBR 68H broadcasts. It was a pretty unusual
Muhammadiyah. The latter was spo ns ored by The Asia
combination. A team to build radio sta tion s and wells. Alm ost
Foundation. Two targets relatively easily and quickly achieved.
none of us knew each other before the tsunami. But sharing a
The day after arriving in Banda Aceh, the team hcaded off to
common aim, we quickly became friends. And that night we
Muhammadiyah University. The campus survived the tsunami
started unloading the gear, piece by piece, and loading it into the
without a scra tc h, and was immediatel y desi g nated a
truck organised by colleagues at Radio Prima.
Muhammadiyah humanitaria n aid post, serving those affected
People might ask, "Why were you building wells in Aceh?" In fact, it \\'as just our way of responding
to
the si tuation. A
by the tsunami: people searching for relatives, people separated from their families.
spontaneous reaction, contributing what we could to the people.
For this community radio, we needed to make a towe r. An
\\'hen the tsunami hit, we heard that the people were in need of
antenna on the end of a metal pole, set up on the third floor of
drinking water. We were no experts. But building wells is not
the university building'would do th e trick. An emergency studio was set up in a space on campus. The whole thing was do ne in
132
Waves of Freedom
-
Rising Above the Tsunami
133
six hours. By the afternoon, test signals were bein g sen t.
the tents we would sleep in while building Radio Prima, and the
Colleagues from Radio P,ima gave a crash course to volunteers
first of dozen s of wells. We spent the afternoon working, and
interested in managing the station. So, that evening, Radio T anlltir
collapsed exhausted into bed that night, still bothered nowand
Fl\1, was on air. The first interview on thi s station was with D m
Sjamsuddin, who later went on to chair Muhammadiyah . Din called on the people of Aceh to be strong in the face of disaster,. and to rebuild their lives. Religion is a very important source of strength in situations of human frailty like this. Radio Tamvir at
then by the aftershocks that came in the wake of the tsunami. The foundations for the tower took some time to build. After digging the foundations, we had to wait for the cement to dry. Cement was not easy to
The Prima FM antenna journeyed as far as Thai/and before occupying its present home
once began to playa key role in communicating information
come by in the early days
about aid, and also in reuniting family members separated as a result of the disaster.
following the tsunami. The few building suppliers spared the tsunami were selling cement and steel at highly inflated prices. Even though we'd brought almost three tons of gear, it didn't include everything we needed. We had to wait for a logistics truck to come from Jakarta, bringing most of the tower, as well as the antenna and parabola. This gear was transported, with a great sense of responsibility, by Jan Erari. For five days he drove the length of the trans-Sumatra highway, and through dozens of checkpoints where the police continued to extract bribes despite the disaster. But the thing that we and the Radio Ptima staff will never fo rge t is the sto ry of our antenna, which journeyed as far as Thailand. The story was that when we, and Jan Erari's truck, left
Building thefollndationsfor the Radio Prima FM tomer
Jakarta we were still missing one important item for the radio station - the antenna. It was still being assembled in a workshop
More time consuming was the reconstruction of Radio Prima. The next day, after a long journey, Our team began digging the foundations for a tower in the back yard of the home of Irwan Johan, the station owner. In the meantime, the plans for an emergency studio were being drawn 1l.P in an old store room near where the tower was being built. It was there that we pitched
in Bekasi . Then we heard that Bimo Nugroho, a friend and member of the Indonesi an Broadcasting Commission, was coming to Aceh from Jakarta. So we got him to bring along our antenna. Bimo's flight left from Jakarta and, as usual, touched down in Medan. But he was delayed there for a few days because he couldn't get a ticket for Banda Aceh. In the end, Bimo flew
up
Rising Above the Tsunami
Waves of Freedom
134
10
a
U ).!
aero plane, bringing with him the antenna fo r Rod,.
Pri ll/o. So, we were all reli eved th at this crucial co mp o nent would
soon arrn ·e.
135
:\ledan. But this time it went from there straight to Banda Aceh.
In th e middle o f the night we were there to meet it at the airport. The Radjo Prima antenna had journeyed as far as Thailand, before occupying its present home.
Tbe new Radio Mt:gap/;()Il~ Si.z.li .r/lldio afkr tbe
/.iIIl/allli
After \vorking hard to built the tower, se t up the studio, and renovate the studi o building, Radio Prima was back on ai r o n 20 January 2005. This was the fir st station to go on air in Banda Aceh after th e tsunami. Th e hith erto sca ttered crew returned full of enthu siasm to resume th eir job of provid ing info rmatio n to the pe ople of Banda Aceh. This station was also in strumental But the plane Bimo had cadged a lift o n couldn't land th at d ay in Banda ,\ceh . It circled rou nd, but was not give n permission
in keeping up the sp iri ts o f a commuOl ty s till reeling fr om disaster.
to land because the landing schedule was so fu ll. Finally, it la nd ed
Radio Pn'lIlo \\"as reconstructed with help from I\IDLF and
in Thailand. In w hich ci r:. , I d o n't kn ow. Bimo didn't have his
th e N etherlan ds E mbassy. Thi s aid package wa s for four stati o ns.
passport with him. And we were wo rried about our anten n a.
j\s we ll as Radio PliJJla, there was Radio Dalka in r--Ieulaboh, Radio
Luckil\' the same pl ane rcru rned, not directl y to Band a, but " ia
.Hegapholle in Sigli , and a n e\\- statio n in Sabang. For D alka and
136
Waves of Freedom
Rising Above the Tsunami
137
Megaphone, we provided the assistance of local technicians wh o had begun to recover from the trauma. So these two sta tions, which had been flattened by the tsunami, were back on air by
16
17 18.
Renovated Renovated Renovated
Bireuen Lhokseumawe Takengon
2006 2006 2006
MDLF MDLF MDLF
.
February 2005. Sabang was completed a month later, the one and only radio station in the town commonly regarded as the point where Indonesia starts.
Distributing transistor radios In a situation of emergency resulting from disaster, rapid
The radio construction programme was then expanded with
and practical action is needed. The communications crash, for
support from other donors. Deutsche Welle helped build Radio
example, could notbedealt with just by rebuilding radio stations.
Smong in Simeulue. Then Free Voice lent its support for the construction of radio stations in Singkil, Tapak Tuan, Lamno,
People needed to be given transistor radios so that they could
Gayo Lues, Langsa, and Nagan Raya. Up until the end of 2006, KBR 68H will continue with the construction and renovation of radio stations in Aceh, including helping to set up stations in places where there is no access to information. The longer it runs, the more efficient this programme has become, as more personnel and logistics support from Aceh it~elf becomes available. We have opened a transit office in Binjai, to organise employment of technicians in Aceh.
Station
1. . Tanwir 2. Prima 3. Megaphone 4. Dalka 5. Matahari 6. Pro FM 7. Smong 8. Rapeja 9. Suara Indah 10. Citra Pesona 11. Gipsi 12. Nara 13. Telangke 14. Antero 15.
I Work done Constructed . Reconstructed Recon.structed Reconstructed Constructed Constructed Constructed Renovated Renovated Constructed Renovated Constructed Constructed Constructed Constructed
Location Banda Aceh Banda Aceh Sigli Meulaboh Meulaboh Sabang Simeulue Lamno Tapaktuan Singkil Langsa Nagari Raya Gayo Lues Aceh Besar Bener Meriah
of these radios was aimed at those who had fled their homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs. So, in the first radio development package, \.ve had some transistor radios and loudspeakers to install in lOP camps. We did this as soon as Radio Ta711JJir was on air. Camps like the ones in Lhok Nga and Aceh Besar, and government offices filled with tents, were the first places we installed radios and loudspeakers. In Banda Aceh, radios with loudspeakers were installed in public places, lOP camps, and mosques. These locations were targeted
Radio Stations Constructed and Renovated
,NO
hear the programmes broadcast by local stations. Distribution
I Completed 06 Jan 05 20 Jan 05 Feb 05 Feb 05 Feb 05 April 05 2005 2005 2005 2005 Feb 06 Mar 06 Mar 06 2006 2006
Donor TAF MDLF MDLF MDLF TAF MDLF DW Free Voice Free Voice Free Voice Free Voice Free Voice Free Voice MDLF MDLF
because these were centres for a large number of homeless people. Radios and speakers were installed in about 30 camps and mosques in Banda f\ceh and Banda Besar while the KBR 68H team was busy rebuilding Radio Prima. But then we realised that this was not a practical way of going about it. So we decided to distribute small transistor radios to each tent, rather than install big loudspeakers for the whole camp. And when more stations came on air, transistor radios were given to each family in the tents, so that they could choose the programmes they wanted to listen to. So it was not centralised.
Rising Above the Tsunami
Waves of Freedom
138
This programme was sponsored by all donors - MDLF, Th e
139
Kabar Aceh
Asia Foundation, Deutsche Wellt and Free Voice. We distrib u.tcd
One barrier to information in Aceh is the fragmented
no less tha n 55,000 transi stors and batteries throughout Aceh.
communications beruaeen regencies, especiaUy after the tsunami.
Later,
distributed transistor radios to even more 10catioo$,
People in Meulaboh did not know what was going on in Banda
when radio stations ,,'ere set up in districts like Meulaboh, Sigji ,
Aceh, and vice versa. People in Banda Aceh, had no idea what
and Sabang. In each of these districts we gave out around 500
was happening in Sigli, even though it is only three hours away
radios to families that had no radios, and to the coffee Stalls
by car. So an initiative for exchange of information' between the
\,\Fe
where Acehncse people like to hang out to pass the time.
regencies in Aceh was crucial. This was made possible by KBR 68H's network of stations spread across the regencies in Aceh. They sent information to KBR 68H which our ed itors then packaged as a regular programme, and sent back to KBR 68H network members in J\ceh. This programme, which aired for the first time on 31 January 2005, includes a 30-minutt slot Mondays to Friday (21.30 - 22.00) and a one-hour talk show on Sundays at 13.06 - 14.00. Kabar Aceh consists of short reports from reporters in Jakarta and reporters based in Aceh, about 20 in all. This bulletin also features interviews with competent sources, from central and local government officials to observers and NGO activists, and, of course, ordinary people, Journalistic features on various topics Disfli/JJlti",g trallsistor radios to fDPs
based on events in the field are also produced to enrich the
Distributing r adios at a camp near Meulaboh , I was accompanied by the direc tor of Radio Dalka. We hadn't brought
bulletin. Audience response has been so positive that more and more
many radios with us that day, Not enough for all the tents. We
radio stations are relaying Kabar Aceb. From just 14 stations in
ended up getting chased by someone living in the camp, shouting
February 2005, by February 200625 stations were rebroadcasting
angrily, " If you don't have enough, don't bother coming here,"
the programme. Their number is growing as more stations begin
What a shock to be shouted at like that, You may mean well, but
operating in Aceh. Government officials, including the Simeulue
it doesn't mean others will see it that\,vay. You n'e ed to understand
and Bireun regents, have used the talk shows to communicate
each other.
140
Ris ing Above the Tsunam i
W aves of Freedom
141
their programmes to listeners. In Lamno, Radio Rapfja is inundated
Some do nors working in Aceh also use Kabar Aceh to get
with calls if Kabar Aceh is only a few minutes late g oing on air.
messages across and give information about their activities. These include ICRC, MDTF, Save the Children, and
A~IM .
Radi o,
especially a network , is a crucial information medi a as there are few other options available. For the once four milli o n population of Aceh, newspaper circulation was just 15000 a da y ver'
,
,
)
low print media
The tsunami had a positive effect, The wa rring sides real ised the ir mistake, and sat down to resolve their issues peacefully.
tOO .
penetration. T oday, ther e is a growing variety of print media available, such as Ra9at Aceh, Aceh Kila and Modus. Bu t the circulati on of the se p apers is estimated at less than 40,000 copies a day. KabarAceh not only reports on the grief and suffering there.
Wle also includ e inspirational item s. Th e tsunami, for example did not quell the desi re of Pr atitu Arafat, a third year juni o r high school student in Aceh,
to
write. He man aged to win a
Young Indo ne sian Writer award from UNICEF. H is pi ece, 'Tsunami: KuJibat, Kudengar, KttTasakan" ("The Tsunami, I saw it, heard it, felt it") captured the attentio n of th e jury. I n it he talks about the need for support for children affected by the tsunami. His entr y came fir st out o f 1,200 entries in the 2005 competition. Most imp orta ntly, Kabar Aceb has provided a wide are na for the peace -b uilding pr oce ss in Aceh. The signing of the Mem ora nd um of Under stan din g be twee n the Ind o ne sian government an d the Free Aceh Movement (GAi'v'I) on 15 August 2005 form s th e basis for peace in Aceh. Kabar Aceb produced a series of sp ecial reports on this eve nt, whi ch included live T OII'IlS rei(1)'ill,g
KabelI' A ct'iJ
coyer age fr o m H elsinki, as well as cove r age o f the ca rping
142
Waves of Freedom
Ri sing Above the Tsunami
143
response from parliament in Senayan, and th e r elief with which
Thi s activity provid ed a forum for participants to share
the people o f Aceh welco m ed p eace in Sigli , Bireun, Banda Acth,
kn ow ledge, information and ex perience in managing radio
Lhokseumawe, Pidie and other places. U lt ima tely, the tsunami
sations, especially in disaster struck regions like A ceh. Discussion
had a positive effect, too. The warring sides reali se d their mistake,
focus ed on the role of radio in a society in transformation and
and sat down to resolve their issues peacefully. Bv talking and
on \vay s of building the financial independence of stations after
being civilised.
th e tsunami. Althbugh for the tim e being there are opportunties for substantial external assistance for radio stations, when that
Training \Vhile the programme to reconstruct radio stations in Aceh
end s the stations will be faced with the problem of finding sources of income to keep them on air.
was undc.:r\yay, KBR 68H took the initiative to offer training to build the skills of th e people managing stations th ere. This training \\'as not restricted to KB R 68H n etwork members, b ur was open to oth er stations that were interested. Three kin ds of training were provided, with different target participants: training for radio station managers, basic training for radio journali sts, and technical training. Two rounds of training were organisetl, the first in 2005 and the second in 2006. As we ll as classroom lessons, internships, in-house training and post-traini ng collaboration are an integral part of KBR 68H traini n g programmes. That's \\"hat makes KBR 68H training m o re comprehensive, and opens up a way to sustainable participation.
Training Jor Acr/J radio !J1anagers Management Training Held in ,\fedan, N orth Sumatra from 12 to 15 July 2005, th is
Th e p articipants' t nrhu siasm and commitment infused every
training \\'as designed as a working m ee ting for radio man agers
session. The aim of these sessions was to enrich the participants'
to enable them to reconstr uct radio stati ons in Aceh follo wing
understanding and knowledge of building and managing radio
the tsunami. The 34 people taking part in the training compri sed
stations in Aceh. The participants agreed to form a consortium
representatives of KBR 68H ne twork stations and other radio
called 'Pemasaran Bersama untuk Radio Aceh' or Joint Marketing
stations, and people 'who would be setting up n ew radio statio ns
fur Aceh Radio. The consortium's management and work
in districts that have n o ne.
pro gramme would be discussed together, the aim being to
Rising Above the Tsunami
Waves of Freedom
144
145
facilitate the marketing and development of radio stations in
allocated one participant per station. Also, one of the criteria
Aceh.
was that participants had to be reporters or staff routinely doing reportage or presenting news programmes, and not s ta tion
Journalism Training Training for radi o journalists took place in l\'fedan, N ortb
managers, station owners, or marketing staff. This training targeted those who had never had any journalistic training.
Sumatra from 17 to 21 July 2005. The aim was to raise the qu ality
In the end 36 people participated in the training, most of
of the reportage of reporters and contributors, and to increase
who m were new to the world of journalism. So me even tho ught
the number of new reporters and contributors in Aceh. Originally,
that the sole function o f radio was entertainment. So, the training
the training was to take place over three days, but was extend ed
focused on shapin g new perceptions and equipping the
to four days to accommodate the amount of training material as
participants with the journalistic skills useful for their personal
well as to give participants enough time to take part in reporring
develo pment and for the develo pment of their stations. The
sessions in the field and write ne\vs.
practical session on Cool Edit Pro (audio editing software) was too short for most participants, especially th ose with no pri o r knowledge of this soft\\·ar e.
Technical Training On radi o training pro g rammes, technicians tend to get o\'erlo oked, de spite the fact that the performance o f radi o stations suffers if the technicians are not reliable. In places like '\ceh that lack infrastructure support, we especially need skjlled and innovative technicians. For this reason, KBR 68H allocated an appropriate portion of this training package to technicians. This training took place in :''fedan on 26 -28 September 2005 . The aim was to build the capacity of local technicians to enable them to follow standard 'work procedures and to maintain and Reporh'IJ at a trainillg sessioJl orgallised by KBR 68H
troubleshoot problems \\'ith broadcasting equipment.
This training was warmly welcomed by KBR 6&H network
The training \vas divided into three m ain parts: transmissio n
stations, other radi o sations, and contributors in Aceh. hfoSl of
system, studio, and equipment maintenance. Adopting a 50%
the radio station managers contacted asked if they could each
theo ry, 50% practice approach, th e sess ion s introduced a range
send between two and four people, even th o ugh we'd o nl v
of materials, from basic to advanced. Handbooks prepared b\'
146
Waves of Freedom
Rising Above the Tsunami
147
the KBR 68H technicians were also distributed to the participants.
English club, Manchester United.
On account of this
We also brought with us examples of broadcasting eguipment
coincidence, the Portuguese government presented Martunis and
from Jakarta, for use during the practical sessions. 'The thirty
hi s family with a house in Aceh Besar. A friend in Banda Aceh
technicians participating in the training ranged from the very
said, "Lucky 1t1artunis was wearing a Portugal strip. Imagine if
experienced, to less experienced, to complete novices. Our
he'd been wearing a PSSI (Indonesian Football Association) spirt,
expectation is that the more competent technicians there are in
he'd probably have only got a visit to Cipinang prison." You
Aceh, the better able they will be to make repairs to their stations
may recall that, at that time, the chairman of PSSI was cooped
without having to wait for technicians from Medan or Jakarta.
up in Cipinang on corruption charges. An honest joke, with a
As well as in-class training, KBR 68H also offers in ternships
long history. Of disillusionment with Jakarta.
and in-house training, especially in radio journalism. Stations that have had the chance
to
have in-house training include R adIO
RapIJa (Lamno), SUara Indah Tapak Tuan (fapak Tuan), and Citra Pesona (Singkil). Internships have been taken up by several radi o
journalists from Aceh, who come to KBR 68H where they spend two weeks working alongside other KBR 68H journalists.
Martunis Meeting with so many victims of the tsunami, and those who were spared, motivated us to document their stories so that they would not be forgotten. Several selected stories were compiled in a book entitled Lolos dan Matlt Tsunami (Escaping The Jaws of The Tsunami). Of all these stories the one that attracted most attention was, without doubt, that of Martunis, a nine-year-o ld boy who for days floated o n the sea. And evetually
Building wells
was sa\.-ed. He made international headlines because the T-shirt
When the disaster struck Aceh we were all stunned. \'X/hat
he was weari ng whe n he was found had a picture of the
could we do to help our bro thers and sisters there? We put this
Portuguese football team
o~
it.
guestion to KBR 68H listeners and, in no time at all, donations
We invited Martunis to the book launch in Jakarta. He met
were pouring in. No less than Rp 125 million was deposi ted by
the Portuguese ambassador, and was invited to go to Portugal to
listeners in the donations account managed by KBR 68H. Then
meet Christiano Ronaldo, a Portuguese player cultivated at the
we talked to lots of people
to
decide what we would do with this
148
Rising Above the Tsunami
Waves of Freedom
money. A friend from Aceh suggested that we build wells. And that is what we did with the listeners' donations. Th e first wells we built were in and around Banda Aceh anJ
149
W hen public services grind to a halt . That morning, a repone I' from Radio Da/ka reponed that a huge earthguake had struck i\[eulaboh, o n the west coast of
~'\ceh.
Before
Aceh Besar. Not everything went as planned. At the Grand
it was reaUy clear \\'hat he was talking abo ut, his call to KBR 68H
Mosque in Banda Aceh, for example, we were ousted by armed
was suddenly cut off. Our editor was in a state trying
troops who reckoned we were building without permissio n in
what was happening in j\ceh on that Sunday, 26 December 2004.
the vicinity of the damaged mosque.
Reports of the earthguake bega n to come in from members of the
to
imagine
KBR 68H network in other pans of J\ceh , especially in the central and eastern parts of the pro\-ince. But there was next to no information from west l\ ceh, even from Banda Aceh, the provincial capital. For a time, we were in the dark as
to
what was happening
there. It turned o ut that during the first few hours it wasn't only ordinary people who had no information about the disaster in Aceh. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who at that time ,"vas \'isiting \-ictims of an earthguake in Nabire, Papua, was apparently unable to get a proper picture of the situation in Aceh. The word tsunami A In/I buill by KBR 68H ill theJard
of the Gralld Mosque ill Ballda Aceb
was not mentioned when a presidential spokesperson passed on the president's initial response
to
KBR 68H, late on Sunday afternoon.
Even though people who want to pray there need a supply
He said, "\X!e don't know what the death co unt is, perhaps eight or
of clean water. After some debate, we decided to go ahead and
ten, maybe more." Later we were to find o ut rhat the disaster had
dig the well and install the pump beside the mosque. When the
claimed an estimated 200,000 lives.
water started flowing, we saw the same soldiers using the w:ter to wash themselves.
The first day, it could be thar no one really knew the horror of this di saster and its cffecb on the peo ple of Banda Aceh and those
We then extended the well building programme to ot her
living on the west coast of Aceh. \Xiaves submerged power stations
towns, such as Meulaboh, Langsa, and Bireun, working together
leaving Banda Aceh and i\Ieulabo h in total darkness. Phone lines
with the managers of local radio statio ns. This meant that we
were cut, and there " 'as a total communications blackout. Local radio
did not need to bring along well diggers from Jakarta. This proved
and tele\'ision stations were smas hed to smithereens by the sheer
much more efficient, and \\-ith the money donated by listeners
force of the deluge . .\ leader in the satellite industrv described rhe
we were abl e
~ituation
to
build a total of 100 wells around Aceh.
as a total blackout. All communications equipment was
150
Rising Above the Tsunami
Waves of Freedom
ma~ ~ive ,
dO\\'I1, Losing no time, he set up a satdlite telephone link , whid
fro m journah sts th ar mobilized rheir
Vice President Jusuf Kall a used on
s} mpathetic response for the \' ictims of the tsunami,
hi~
fir <;t fJjght to the
di~a ,tt: r
151
spontaneous and
struck region, Photos of the Vice President using this satellite phone
KBR (,8H for example, immediareh' ope ned up a fund for th e
contact President 'Yudho\'ono purponedh - show the fir st
\'ictims, Listeners gave \\'hat the\' could afford, and we used these
to
donations to build wdls in the disa'ter- hit areas, 1\ team of well
communication from rhe tsunami -a ffected province, And it
wa~n'r
onh' public
facilitie~
that \\-ere destroyed, T he
diggers \\"as even recruited o\-er the radio, and despatched to Aceh
th() ~(.
in early -'anun" 200':;. That month , whik the local goycrnmcnt was
bureaUCnlC)' and leadership abo disappeared from ," \ceh during
first Jays of the disasrer. Regents, the dcpur\' go vLrn or (it
~o
happened that the governo r was in custody in J,lkana pending a corruption
hearin~) ,
heads of the police and military, all were reeli ng
from shock, stunned bl' the
disa~rer.
\It: mbers of their families, too,
still reeling from the vo lunteers dug
~c()res
~h()ck,
and completeh' parah se d , rhe se
of wells, prm'iding clean water for thousands
of people in camps or at mmtluts, In the end , KBR 68B built a tond of 100 ",db in 8
regcncie~
in Ac<::h and ).;i as, The media acted
had lost their liYes to rhe rsunami, or were missing without trace,
as a bridge between the yictims of the rr:1gedy and those who wanred
So, on those first ,la) s, no leader came forward [() encourage peopl e
to help,
to
get back on their feet. Ven' little indeed was done to improve tbe
siLUation, even
to
give the dead a decent buriaL This p;ua lysis was
exacerbated by the legaC\' of militan' repression in Aceh that did so much ro remo, e freedoms and stitle initiati\'e. Rerorter~
realh- did a
who went straight
gre~lt
to
/\ceh during those first days,
sen'ice in spreading news of rhe disaster
to
rh t:
outside world , ~ationa l and foreign newspapers, radio and tele\'ision, reported on this rragedy, and immediarely changed their news agendas. Their reports nor olll\" opened people's eyes to rhe horror of the tsunami, but also generared a sense of solidarit\, for its victims, Tens of thousands of \'olunreers from all .()\'er Ind ones ia and from overseas <.juickh' poured into Aceh, offel'ing skills of all kinds, TellS of millions of dollars were donated b\" newsrarjer n::aders, tele, ision viewers, and radio listeners in Indont'sia, :-"eve r before had Indonesia recei\'ed so much di~aster aid, ,\nd on top of all this \~':1S Ihe far greater assistance [i'om the internarional communin', 1t was reports
.\'earc/;iIlJi/OI' lost In'''i~', "\'oti(~~ bOtfrdr like thiJ 01/<' IJ W'e 10 Act'l) allfr //11' !Jlllltl111i
br,lollllri "II Ol','r
9
W:
Transformation: From NGOto media business
're producing, but we're not selling. Th ose were the
words of a wo rried fri end when he saw the state of KBR 68H 's balance sheet. Year after year, we
rec o rded losses. Actu ally, it was worse than that. When KBR 68H was fir st set up, we gave no tho ught whatsoever to cash
inflow and sales. The fir st year of operations, we recruited no marketing staff to build the network and drum up advertising and sponsors. Marketing hadn't entered ou r minds, when the jo urnalists were busily producing radio programmes. Obvi o usly,
With national coverage,
communicating information Is no problem
on,~
~Ilfp ""'''llo n
1111" )' dilly. Tl'Iruuutt a
cam•• '"
corr.'TIuniCGI ''''IQ. Ol. ' ~nc: .. ~ r"j rl lim"
)21 dlllt1c.h I munlcfJNnll•• lflto KBR 88;t04.
_n.'1
fflr fI'Ult'-.
11
But tha t is what happen ed. When we began in early 1999,
lO a.f)_nO,O' radiO "aw. 'U'lley . . .
Ink!Dn.-.a , and ",UIDht
SQ
that's not the way a media business is no rmally run.
IIg 1."l~.fIt
.erv .. " LIp npld. i t"cur~IA n.:~nr'\ 0' ' 30 radi o atalion " hetl,d ", I million U'''n" II 1Ifi':hl nd fndQntu;.i. lun"
rn ••• -:,;.
the KBR 68H programme was under the management of the
a,II "."cII
In stitute for the Studies o n Free Flow of Informatio n CISAI).
" \oI S!
The news agenc y was a unit of an NGO worki ng to improve the quality of journali sm and th e flow of info rmation in Ind o nesia.
KBR68
As a part of the NGO 's work, staff were recruited only for th e prod uctio n side. Journalists and technician s. We relied on ISAI to
find support, donations to cover the news agency's day to day
operating cos ts . But for how long? Co uld we expect donors to 153
154
Transformation : From NGO to Media Business
Waves of Freedom
155
support us for ever? Of course not. All good don or organisations
\t a genera.! meeti ng of shareholders on 7 May 2002, PT
work out exit strategies as part of their support program mes.
r.1clin decid ed to let go a portion of its shares (40 010,) to augment
Like\\'ise, responsible programme managers prepare plans for
capital. This \vas do n e by proportionally reducing the sh are
continuing their programmes with out donor support.
ownership of Koperasi Utan K ayu and Yayasa n ISA l. So, ISi\ I's stake in tne compa.ny shrank
The formation of a company
Uta n Ka\,u's
to
36 '},,, . Th e
to
24% and Koperasi
ResponSible programme managers prepare plans for continuing their programmes without donor suppoft.
The spectre of continuity began to haunt the KBR 68H
40°/., sold now bel o ngs to
managers in early 2000. With the rapid growth in programme
dozens of o rga ni sations and
production, staff numbers had increased too. There was a clo se
ind i,-idu al s.
correlation between staff expansion at KBR 68H and growth in
additi onal funds of more than Rp 4 billion from this sale o f
the prog rammes it produced. If in early 1999 we had a crew o f
shares to cover the company's operating losses.
We
raised
just sen:n, by December 2000 the number had grown to 49. M ost
Wh en PT Melin was establish ed, I was given the job o f
were recruited to the editorial team, owing to the large number
Managing Director. At that time, I was doubling as Programme
o f new programmes we h ad launch ed . Our recruitment policy
Director. O ur Business Direc:or, wh o h andl es finan ce, personnel
was driven by programme initiatives, rather than being based on
and gen eral affairs, was Stanley, an old friend from the early A]I
a measured plan. Although in practice we based our recruitment
days . C nfortunatcly, on 4 Feb ruary 2004, Stanley resigned from
on such commendable principles as profess ionali sm and gender
PT ~Iclin and its su bsid iaries. I\. meeting of the Board o f
equality, the numbers were not measured.
Commissioners on 19 Febr uary 2004 accep ted hi s resigna ti on
In a short time, KBR 68H's operati ng costs soared, way above
and this was ratified at a general meeting of shareh old ers. Th e
the costs of any other ISAI activities. Then, at an ISAI meeting,
staff and management of PT Melin will always be grateful to
we decided to form a company especially for this activity. In
him. Stanley put in place the organiza ti onal basis o f the company.
doing so, we hoped that we would become more adept at se eking
H e wa s a person who ga\'c th e utm ost attention
out opportunities to generate income to cover the new age ncy's
of th e staff. It was for this rea son th at, alth ough still in the red ,
op erating costs. The company was given the name PT Med ia
PT l\ felin provided all its staff good social security, including
Lintas Inti Nusantara (Melin). Its majority sharehold er is Koperasl
health insurance and an old age pension SC hellle.
to
the..: \\iclfare
Utan Kayu - a co operative owned by staff involved in various
PT Melin enrrusted the positio n o f C hairm an of the Board
activi ties in the Utan Kayu Community - which h o ld s a 60%
of Commissio ners to Goena,,-an i'vIohamad, a respected figure
sta ke. Th e remaining 40% of shares are owned by Yayasan ISAI.
in the Utan Kavu Communin". , . )\ls o on the B oar d o f
Th e start-up capital was contributed by several organisations.
Commissioners are Tedjabayu, a ve teran democracy activist, and U lil A bs h ar Abdalla, a yo ung and dmamic Mus lim sc h olar.
156
Waves of Freedom
Transformation
From NGO to Media Business
157
performance. Mo st important of all was inviting marketing and management consultants from a private company to KBR 68H between April and December 2001. They provided regular weekly consultation s on marketing, promotion, and organisational management, which includ ed preparing a bu siness plan for 2002. So the term 'business plan' filtered into a community th at was more used to operating as a movement-oriented organisation .
Chair of tbe Board oj COIJl1lli.rsiomrs, Goel/au'(/II M oball/ad (left) and 1\ [a//(J/!,illg Direclol; Saliloso, on a flight If) llft'lJ/abo/; to .rebllild radio statio llJ des/rO)'l'd ~) fhe tSlllltlllli
~
~
~~.
#'
~~
Looking at this line-up, it is abundantl y clear that our commissioners are not people who have business fo remost on their minds. Every time he's reminded when there is going to be
(
) MARKET
a general meeting of shareholders, for example, Mas Goen, as
"
Clientsl Sponsors
we call Goenawan .Mohamad, invariably asks: ''I'm on the station's Board o f Commissioners, am I?" Fortunately, if he is in J akarta
KBR 68H BlIsilless Model
and has time , he still chairs the general meetings of shareholders. The humour, inspiration and conviction of the commissioners
For beginners, our marketing performance wasn't all that bad.
are a powerful driving force in our efforts to develop this news
In 2001, we recorded advertising sales of Rp 1.2 billio n, although
agency.
admittedly we were only utilising 10% of our advertising spot capacity.
Learning to sell
Other income came from sponsorship programmes
and radio services not related to KBR 68H broadcas ts. This
It wasn't until after PT :vlelin was set up th at we started
convinced us of the business potential that could be developed
thinking about marketing. And thi s was the focus of special
from the capacity o f KBR 68H to manage a radio network. Our
atten tio n througho ut 2001, two years after the launch of our
business model involved many stakeholders: KBR 68H, network
first production .
members, listeners, and advertisers.
J\ luch 'w a s d o ne t o improve marketing
158
Waves of Freedom
Transform ation: From NGO to Media Business
159
In 2001, estimated national spending on radio advertising
to those who those who were not familiar with the news agency,
wa s Rp 353 billion, o r 3.5% of the total national advertising pi e_
spreading the message that we had entered the media business.
This figure has continued to rise_ Although in percentage terms
'\5 a new business, one of the problems we faced was the
the figure remains below 5°'0, the nominal figure keeps growing.
feeling of job insecurity among staff, especially in the marketing
In 2006, an estimated Rp "'00 billion will be spent on radio
department. E \'ery'year, our marketing manager changed. In sales,
advertising. As the radio network \\-ith the wide st co\-erage in
the turnover of account
m arketing department by recruiting staff that understand th is
The humour, inspiration and conviction of the commissioners are a powerful driving force in our Time and agaw we efforts to develop this news agency_ recruited, but the account
p o tential and are good salespeople.
executives did not usually last long. Most hung on for less than a
Indonesia, KBR 68H has the potential to take a slice of this radio advertising pie. The question is how to strengthen the
executives was ver y high.
As a new media, KBR 68H worked continually to enhan ce
year before moving on. Fortunately, this trend began to reverse
its image, especially among advertisers and advertising agencies_
when our business performance became more stable, and we
Promotion includ bartering for space in mass media publications.
\vere in a position to offer better career planning for sales staff,
Regular advertisements also appeared in specialist advertising
including education and training.
magazines, -and in national mas s media publications. Another
Also, thanks to the inflexible business model with the network
promotional event was the re-Iaunch of KBR 68H at the Hilton
stations, the KBR 68H marketing team was not free to respond
Hotel. KBR 68H also held joint seminars with the Ministry of
to market demands. In the first generation contracts, the stations
Information at the Arayaduta Hotel, and with the Ministry of
received a percentage for each advertisement aired during KBR
Health at the Grand Hyatt in November 200l.
68H programmes. As a result, it was difficult to offer a per unit
Despite all this, the image of KBR 68H as a media business,
price that was lower than the accumulated entitlements of the
in the eyes of advertising agencies and potential advertisers, was
network members.
not strong. They still thought of us as an N Go.
lower figure than th a t. This made it very hard for the marketing
More systematic and targeted promotion was needed. One thing KBR 68H did was to put together better marketing to ols_
Clients, me anwhile, would often ask for a
team to deliver to clients. Later, we tried out a more marketable model of cooperation with the network stations.
We produced a compan y pro file o n CD, and made about 5,000 copies. These were distributed mainly to advertising agenci es and potential advertisers. We also printed and distributed 2,000
General meetings of shareholders The original shareholders of KBR 68H did not bother too '
copies of the company profile. Brochures, bulletins, books of
much about their stakeholdings. The cooperative and Yayasan
the transcripts of Obrala1ll::. konotlli, all help ed p rom ote KBR 68 B
ISAI had a stack of activities of their own. They weren't really aware of their rights and responsibilities as shareholders. Perhaps
160
Waves of Freedom
Transformation : From NGO to Media Business
161
because they weren't used to being shareholders. Perhaps, th e
should also be used to intensify KBR 68H links with
risks and benefits were not the main consideration. But we had
advertising bureaus, to form the basis for marketing in 2005.
agreed on the idea from th e outset. PT Melin was to be a ·
2. Consolidate the ne twork, by providing a better service to
continuation of joint initiatives to fight for press freedoms; it
increase Im ·al ty. E xpanding the net\vork in Indonesia is no
was just that its organisational form had changed from an NGO
longer a prioritv. The exception is promoting Asia Calli17,f!, to
to a company. Its collective ownership reflected its cooperati ve spirit.
oth er Asian coun tries.
decision making body, was not functioning properly. As I recall,
The general meetings of shareholders were often like friendly the 68H Logger by get-togethers. Discussions could all network stations. This over the place, much as they do at movement meetings. will mean finding
the next general meeting of shareholders after the one on 7 May
donors of computers
2002 was held on 9 March 2004. A gap of two years. It hardly
for stations that do not hm-e them. Could also sound out the
se'emed like the proper way to run a cO,mpany, if we didn't even
possibility of giving loans to network members so they can
have regular general meetings of shareholders. And, even after
purchase computers to use the Logger.
But clearl y, to begin with, the general meeting of shareholders, which was supposed to be the company's highest
3. Optimise the use of
certain shareholders let go a portion of their shares, because
4. Stop recruiting new staff. The workforce of PT Media Lintas
they were friends, the general meetings of shareholders often
Inti ::--J usantara is now 114, and staff wages account for the
ended up like friendly get-togethers. The meetings did not focus
larges t share of the company's monthl y costs. Programmes
on discussing matters within the scope of the work of the
for staff to focus on building their capacity and skills.
organisation, such as examining the Board of Directors' report
5. Improve the sound quality of stations broadcasting in Jakarta
or electing new directors. Discussions could go all over the place,
(89.2 Frv{ and 603 AM) by changing the transmitters and
much as they do at movement meetings.
making other changes, to increase [be transmission capacity
The minutes of the general meeting of shareholders of PT Melin in Jakarta on 9 March 2004, a month before the general election, record decisions on matters that that would normally
to includ e the w hole of greater Jakarta, with no blank spots and to prevent int erference from pirate radio stations. 6. Conduct a listeners' survey, focusing o n th eir response to KBR
be routine managerial matters, such as;
68H programmes. Survey to be done after the transmitters
1. Optimise the opportunity provided by the general election to
are upgraded, to get hSLf'nc:rs' suggestions for improving
prove the benefits of the KBR 68H network to clients. Target
programme quality.
net revenue from advertising and sponsorship for 2004 is Rp
7. Improve rh e organisation of the n e\\ sroom and the quality of
9.6 billion. The opportu nity presented by the general election
broadcasts by making comparisons wi th BBe and D LMlvI
162
Waves of Freedom
(Manila) broadcasts. A BBC consulta nt is scheduled to arriye in Jakarta in June 2004.
Transformation
From NGO to Media Business
163
(Iuali ty services. T he response to public rad io in I ndonesia has been excellent. All that remains is to build a healthy busin ess.
8. l\uthorise the \Ianaging Director and Program me Direc tor
Experim ental programmes in th e Asia regio n, such as Asia Calling,
and the Board of Commiss io ners to prepare a code of ethI cs
have generated a p ositive response fr o m radio stations in th e
on blocking time.
regIO n .
Unusua l minute s indeed for a ge ner a l meetin g o f shareholders. Since th en we have learned that a ge neral m eeling
Mission: 1. D eliver ind epe ndent,
of sharcho lders, even in a company wi th a turn o\"cr of trillio ns
rapid
of rupiah , discusse s only the report of the directors, dividend pa~:m e nts
(if there are profits), and management changes. Never
2. Build a busine ss that is healthy and accountable, and a leader in th e r adio industry in Ind onesia. 3. Build the large st radi o n etwo rk, cove rin g the who le of
o ur ge neral m eeti ngs of shareh olders were fun. \Xle took th em lightly. And then we learned w hat the position of th e general
Ind o ne sia and other countries in Asia. 4. D evelop an audio docume ntatio n centre and be a barometer
meeting of sha reholder s was, an d the authoril\ it had. Subsequen t
for quality radio journalism.
gene ral meetings of sharehold ers have been m ore cfficie nt an d have foc used on matters appropriate to its authority.
Creating a dream A t a working m ee ting of PT Me lin man agement at the end
T hese are the four main activities towards realising our dream of making KB R 68H the most reliable radio news agency in Asia. C a ring, Professional, Progressive
of 2003 we agreed o n several principles, on the visio n of KBR 68H, and on its mission for the period 2004 - 2007. T l:ese can be summarised as foll ows: Vision: The Most Reli able Radio Ne ws Agency in Asi a Our dream is to make KBR 68H the most reliable radio news
r e li able
in for matio n.
has a general meeting of shareholders di scussed such detailc:d matters as plans for a sur veyor technology de\·e!opment. But,
a nd
The news agency has become a point of reference for radio stations, not just in Indonesia but also for other countries in the region
To unde rtake the corporate mi ssio n and reali se our dream , we have idemified certain va lu es that underlie o ur work . Th ese va lu es motivate us, and we try hard
to
make them our principle s,
ou r co rp orate culture <.:n:n. •
C a ring: As a med ia providing information to the public,
agency in Asia, because as ye t there is no ne\\'S agency in Asia
K BR 68H is caring in its work. Wle carlJ abo ut the opinions
that specialises in radio and services radio stations in this area .
and need s of consu m ers, clients and o th er stakeholders. 'V/..!e
To rea lise thi s visio n , KB R 68H mu st focu s first o n its
ar e caring no t o nly in o ur ex tern al rela tions, but in rela tio ns
operatio ns in I ndonesia, to develop a sound business providing
betwee n the variou s sec tio ns of KBR 68 H .
164 .
•
•
Walles of Freedom
Transformation : From NGO to. Media Business
165
Professional: A professional attitude is a must for all KBR
meeting of shareholde rs. Although expenditure was higher tha n
68H employees. Being professional means we conform to
expected due to the increase in activities that yea r, 2004 was the
certain principles, standards and ethics to ensure our work is
fir st year KBR 68H managed to cover its opera ti ng costs with
of good quality. Being professional also m eans that we must
its own inc o me. T he general election made a sig nific a nt
keep up \"ith de"elopments in our fields to optimise the
co ntributio n to KBR 68H income. Th e origin al income target
quality of our work.
of Rp 9.6 billion was
Progressive: Today will be better than yes terday. Tomorrow
r evised mid-year, in
better than today. Progress is what drives us at KBR 68H.
view of the upward
Growth and development is the credo of the KBR 68H crew.
trend in income. By the
Improving product quality and raising se r vice quality is a
yea r
must. D eveloping the business, making KBR 68H a healthier
recorded income of Rp
business entity are important aspects of the progress we arc
12.5 billion. And, despite an !I1crease
aiming for.
e nd ,
we
h ad
2004 was a very important year for KBR 68H, because we had the chance to demonstrate our very strong competency in the world of radio in Indonesia. !11
expenditure resulting
from the general electio n and from investments mad e in 2004, KBR 68H recorded a pre-tax ope rating profit ofRp 2.351 billion.
Auspicious times 2004 was a very important year for PT Melin , the company
Even though th e profits earn ed in 2004 were not sufficient to offset KBR 68H's accumulated losses over the period 1999
that manages KBR 68H. That yea r, there were the ma rathon
2003, we distributed dividends to shareholders. But, in view of
general elections, for the legislative and executi ve bodies. For
investment needs and ope rati ng costs, o nly 7% of the profits
the first time in Ind onesia n history, the president was elected
(Rp 165 million) were paid out in dividends, and the remaining
directly by the people. So, that was a very important yea r for
93% (Rp 2,186 million) was retain ed_ These retained profits were
KBR 68H, because we had the chance to demo nstrate ou r very
used for research on KBR 68 H li steners and an operating cost
strong competency in the world of radio in Indonesia. The tightly
reserve of Rp 986 million. Majo r investments in 2004 were
scheduled general election ope ned up a world of opportunities,
strengthe nin g FM broadcast r eac h (Rp 515 milli on) and
not on ly
development of the KBR 68H Logger (Rp 158 million).
to
create programmes to senT the public, but also to
strengthen the business side o f thi s radio ne,,-s agency. The
Thi s dividend payment, though small - around twelve and a
previous year, we had predicted that 2004 would be an auspicious
half rupiah per share - and largely symbolic, was in tended to
one for KBR 68H.
show that the radio business managed by PT Melin was profitable.
Overall, we h"ed up to the task set us by the 2004 general
Thi s was crucial, to ensure that shareholders would care more
meeting o f shareholders of optimising opportunities. KBR 68H's
abou t their assets in thi s company, and to encourage the Board
income that "ear far exceeded that target set by the gen eral
of Directors and Board of Commissioners
to
focus m ore on
166
Transformation : From NGO to Media Business
Waves of Freedom
167
building this media business. We wanted to manage the business
20 'Yo, by replacing the light bulbs in the office wi th energy saving
more seriously.
lights, for example. We cut telephone costs by installing timers to stop people from chatting needlessly. Sometimes, th ese efficiency measures seemed excessive - when there was no toilet
14000
A
12000
c: a::
1~~~~
c:
6000
~
4000
~
//fO~
I
II
paper in the toilet or when the coffee and sugar jars in the kitchen
.
were empty. But, generally, 1
the
KB R
68H
s taff
responded positively to these cost-cutting measures. They
An audience of 8 million offers a promising market for a range of products and services
helped to reduce unnece ssary office costs. Because this was the
2000
o TI---'--~--~---'---.r-~ 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
way to survive, and continue with our mission to serve the public. The power house behind thi s efficienc y drive was Teddy Wibisana, Dire ctor of Finance, Personnel and General Affairs,
Cost-rtllenlll' ratio for fbI' past jive yean'. 2006 is all eJli/1/{//e.
who joined KBR 68H in 2004. It was Teddy who never stopped reminding us and looking for \\"ays to reduce production costs,
Efficiency
without compromising service quality. His efficiency was perhaps
The 2004 profits, fortunately, did not make us complacent.
borne from years of experience working for a multinational. He
Only a small portion was paid out in dividends; the lion's share
saw eye to eye straight away with our long-standing partner,
was reserved for working capital. It was like we were getting
MDLF, which also urged us to be efficient and to control the
ready for so me lea? times in the com ing years. 2005 proved
growth of th e business.
difficult, because the commercial world did not rate KBR 68B
How fortunate was KBR 68H to have been able to persuade
as a radio advertising media \\lith a national reach , an d the social
him to help take the company in hand, especially at a time when
market dropped off. The tsunami al so contributed to a national
his career with the multinational was taking off. Teddy is an old
decline in spending on
adn~ rti sing.
friend. We knew each other years before KBR 68H was set up.
This left only one option: efficiency. Cutting costs wherever
He is a friend from the student movement days . And, his track
possib le without reduciJ).g the quality of our servi-ces to the
record in the movement was pretty impressive, too. Teddy was
public. That was our new battle. No longer just pursuing ideals,
thrown in jail twice for protesting against the autho ritarian
such as resisting fundamentalism or opposing authoritarian
Soeharto regime, which is more than can be said for most of us
regimes, we were trying to cut back on unnecessary costs, too. In
at KBR 68H. So, we have no problems when it comes to settin'T
2005, \ye managed to reduce our monthly electricity costs by
valu es or orientation together.
Remarkably, we also become
168
Transformation : From NGO to Media Business
Waves of Freedom
169
motivated to think like managers, and make this media business
consumer habits. Radio research had only been done in big cities,
healthier.
w hereas KBR 68H listeners arc spread acr oss the country from
l\nother efficiency measure was reducing the different type s
Sabang to
~ lerauke.
of activi ties we are involved in. Activities th at put a financial
So, we needed spec ific research that could an s"wer this n eed
burden on KBR 68H are th e social programmes it undertakes
to know our listeners. We entru ste d thi s task to J\[1\RS , a
that are outsid e its core work as a producer of news\' An example
renowned marke t research agency, und er the supervision of
is setting up radio stations in regions that don't have access to
Brandmaker, the consultant that advised us on building the KBR
info rmation, or responding rapidly to recon struct ra dio stations
68H brand. Thi s research, condu cted in th e last quarter of 2005,
in Aceh. In the future, activities like these should be managed
was a su bstantial im'estment, especially for a company that was
separately, as non-profit initiatives related to imp rov ing
still in the red. But we had made up our mind s to do this research,
journalism and access to information. The various different
and on a national scale, with respondent samples from 14 cities,
activities shou ld be managed by appropriate and spec ific
From this research, we discovered that we ha\ l 8 million
organisations. For example , disbursement of so ft loans tOo
listen ers, spread from one end of the coun try to the oth er. :Mos t
network members to develop their businesses should be done
are young, with at least a high school education, and in th e C1
through a small credit company.
and B economic categories. They are pe ople w ho have a thirst
Tightening our belts and seizing new opportunities gave us
for information, who care about and want to get involved in
the idea of forming a holding company. PT Melin would be
changing their country. An au di ence this large offers a promising
managed as the holding company of subsidiaries, each with a
market for a range of products and services. This restored our
spec ific purpose a nd measured grow th . Some of these
confidence in the feasibility of developing the business model
subsidiaries have already been estab lish ed, such as PT Suara Melin
of this radio ne\\"$ agency. \'(/e want to get advertisers, and
Perdana, which man ages Radio Utan Kayu. This is also a medium
adverti sing agencies, to see the potential market that has been
for career development for PT Melin staff who are interested in
created from. all the h ard work put in to building this radio
advancing their careers and demonstrating their co mpetency.
network.
Knowing our listeners
with the name KBR 68H . Only 22 % of radio listeners in
Our challenge is that radio listeners are not '. cr) familiar One of the difficulties KBR 68H had in growing its bu siness
Ind onesia have heard of KBR 68H, A figure that really need s to
was a lack of data on people tuning into o ur programmes. We
be increased. What is worse, 40" 0 of listeners that tune in daily
knew that KBR 68H programmes we re bro adcas t by radio
to KBR 68H programmes, do not realise that these are" KB R
stations all over Ind onesia, but \\"e didn't know for sure how
68H programmes. Th ey think that they are local programmes
many listeners there were. Not did we know their profiles, their
produced by local radio station s. This indi cates, that as a nc\\"
Transformation
Waves of Freedom
170
From NGO to Media Business
171
insti tutio n, KB R 68H needs to continue to communicate with its aud ience. The m ost effec ti ve way o f d oing this is thr ough irs
Education
1%
16%
network members.
Age
22%
35% c 18· 24 '1,(ea rs
8% 1. 2'; . :~4~e3TS
72%
o c:5 . 44 ye aTS o H gh Sc rloej Graju3le • D f,lo:c-na 0 Graju 3te 0 Post 13 ra du ot e
0 45 - 50 ye ars
35% SES (Monthly Expenditure) 18%
Gender
50%
50%
0 :>
11:'. 1.7m.om
•
Thi s research, thi s
fi:'
1.260.001 ·
F~,
illn~ snne nt
1.7':'0 .000
0 F~, .
m O.001 . F:p. 1.150 .0((1
in gerting to knO\\' our listeners,
ha s helped us to com munic ate wit h th e markets th at need radi o
10 Fem3e
.Mile
1
serv ices. \,\'e are no longer uncertain about o fferi.ng this p otentia l to aJ Ycrr ise r s, to \\'hoeycr n eeds to ge t a m e~s age acr oss .
E spec ialh th os e tb at need nati o nal broadcast.
Waves of Freedom
172
Transformation : From NGO to Media Business
A step forward
173
company's shares are held by an employees' cooperative. So, each
KBR 68H ha s now reached th e point o f no r eturn. After
step backward s ha s a di r ect effect on th e welfare of th e
seve n ye ars , thi s experimental pr o ject pioneer ed by you ng
emplOl'ees. But we intend to go forward.
journalists has tu rned into a media with its o\,\,n comtituents.
aro und 100 personnel an d their families have placed their stake
Eight milJj on listeners across Ind onesia tunc in to KBR 68 H
in this media comp any, as have more than a hundred co ntributors
programmes. An adlievcme nt to be proud o f; but one that brings
In the regio ns.
with it great
respom i bilit~"
Even
da~',
\'(/e
cannot fail. Because
we feel we mu st meet the
\'1ie wilt continue to serve our li steners, despite the many
information needs of th ese Jj ,teners, whatever the circumstances.
pressures on KBR 68H for promoting liberty, tolerance and
E,"e ry day, we remember the more than 430 network stations
plurali ty. Being a champion of unity in diversity is no easy task
from A.ceh to Papu a. Wai ting for th e programm es we pro du ce,
in today- 's Ind o nesia. In an in creasingly m o nolithic political
to sup plement and improve th e qualiry o f their own programmes.
atmosphere domin ated by one religiou s persuasion, we want to
KB R 68H has become a pillar in th e history o f radio in Indonesia.
reI terate th at Ind o ne sia is a joint project, a proj ect that wa s
No t only creating programmes, but also setting quality standards
conceiyed of, and is supported by, many ethnicities, religions,
in radio journalism here. The nenYork will continue to grow,
regions, languages . Through information broadcas t every day and
spread beyond the national borders. Our commitment
spac e tha t accommodates all views, KBR 68 H seeks to strengthen
to
our
network m embers d rives us forward.
o ur Indonesianess. Dependable, N ational Coverage.
PT Melin - Seven Ye ars of Growth Nc Indicator
April 1999
April 2006
1
Prod uction : broadcasts per day
15 minutes
18 hours
2
Network stations
7
430
3
Listeners
±200,000
8 million Majority from market
4
Fi nancial independence
100 % from donations
5
Numbe r of personnel
7
96
6
Total assets
Rp 2.3billion
> Rp 10 billion
K13R 68H servic es can not be allowed to stop, even though the compan ) is more often in th e red than the bl ack. The only problem that remains is how to improve busin ess performance, increase revenu es, improve staff welfare. The majority of the
A trip down memory lane
Eni Mulia:
It's great being paid Just to talk
1 March 1999. Starting work at KBR 68H was pretty strange. I was supposed have been hired as a radio reporter. But there was no studio, no transmitter, no recording equipment, no office even. Or computers. The first \.veek we were invited to meet in the Utan Kayu Theatre
to
discuss the question, "What are we going to do?"
Then, because the theatre was going to be used for another activity, we moved into the cafe
to
continue our discussio n. I thought to
myself: This is great, being paid just to sit around and talk and chat... But over the next few weeks everything changed. Construction of the office buildi ng and studio was complete. The days were increasingly filled with getting reports from the field and producing news using the new studio equipment and Cool Edit Pro, an audio editing software programme that seven years ago was tOtally new
to
me. Coming back from covering an event, the KBR 68H editor, Santoso, would invariably 'accos t' you with the question, "What did you get?" A terse question, but one that would be posed wherever I 175
A Trip Down Memory Lane
Waves of Freedom
176
met him, in the doorway, in the yard, in the hall. Before you'd even had a chance to put down your bag or recording equipment, came the cross-examination
to
determine the angle and lead before writing
177
It became a ritual each tim e I arrived and left the office
to
tidy
the desk, dust it, arrange my photos and knick-knacks. r wanted my desk
to
show people who I am.
For the first fc:w days, e\'erything was fine. The room was still
up the report. On top of all that, the hours of meetings and discussions
~"el'\'
day continued because there were so many preparations and decisions
clean. M y desk was always the neatest, th e cleanest, the most attractive. U ntill had
to
face up to th e bitter fact. Most of the KBR
if you got into the office at US.UU and got
6SH crew don't care about that kind of thing. T<:resna's desk and
home by 23.00. The late nigbts took their toll - my hair started to
Ging Ginanjar's desk were the worst, covcred in paper, newspapers,
fall ou t and I lost a lot of weight.
coffee cups and cigarette ash. Yayat's and D oddy's \yere the same.
to make. You were
luc~y
Their faces were clean but their desks were filthy. Eni's and Andy's weren't so bad. Their desks were so emptv they hardly looked like office dcsks. Several times I suggested to the boss that the editorial room be made to look a bit more presentable. At least look like it
' \· ;1S
the
office of a radio station. J\nd build a corporate culture, wIllie it was still early days. "So ,\it can lord it over other radio stations," I thought to myself. But my suggestions feU o n deaf ears. Ne\Ter mind cleaning up and keep the place lookin).i nice, just tidying himself up seems a bit of a tall order for the boss ... ha, ha ... Rather than inner conflict, better to face facts. "So be it," I thought. I really feel my nature makes me a minorjrl' at KBR 6SH.
Eko Sullstiyanto:
Failed to make the editorial room presentable
Ade Wahyudi:
We were surprised by the progress
August 1999, I started work at KBR 68H. Rc:cruited with me
f\pril 1999. "Here we go," I tho ught to myself when I got my
were Ayu Purwaningsih, Cisya Sat\\'ika, Arin Swandari, and
own desk and computer. I am obsessive about things being nice
Antonious Eko. Yfe were the second intake. The first recruits were
and neat and tidy. The desk and all its paraphernalia ,vere a sight to
Eni J\ Iulia, Dodi 1Iawardi, Supriyanto \ 'ayat, Andi Budiman, Eko
behold.
Sulistiyanto, and Henry Sianipar. There \Vcre others, but thc\' had left before we came on board.
178
Waves of Fre edom
A Trip Down Memory Lane
179
\X'h en we first starred, KB R 68H didn 't produce m an y
his plans were for KBR 68H. I can't remember ills exact repl y, but
programmes. \X'e just made short nc\\'s items and uploaded them
one thjng 1 do remember was ills conviction in the future of KBR
via e-mail. 1 thought the workload at KB R 68H wa s so much ligh ter
68H. I remember one thing he said, ''I'm sure we'll be big." Perhaps
than it had been in m\, las t job on a news paper_
it is t"hat belief that now runs in all our veins. Has made us gro\\',
1 staned
to
get a funn y feel ing when, every time I was in the
and continue
to
develop and improve as time goes on.
caFe, friends from ISA1 wo ulJ ask, '""" hal's it lib.: working with Santoso?" If I said it
'\\'a~
fin l:, grea r,
lh t:\
\\'ere shocked . Becaust.:
according to them, Santoso was a workaholic, and expected c\eryone who worked under him to \-vork as hard as he did. Until o ne day o ne of them (1 forget \\'ho) sai d, "Imagi ne if Sanroso ran MllIlIl (a cultural magazine) - in stead o f being published month.ly, sometimes only
Ging Ginanjar T uteng and the Rengasdengklok kidnapping Morning programmes are always a challenge for presenters. EspecialJ) the three-hour long S(lrC!/J(l11 Pa,gi. One day I fell asleep on ai.r in the middle of an interview. But
every two months, Santoso \\'(mld soon have it being published dail y."
luckil)' at that time Sarapan Pa.r;i had t\\'o presenters and almost all
A nd so it was that after about two mon th s, th e workload
th e interviews we.re done by phone. So, when I dropped off, the
increased. First we '\'ere as ked to produce RII/elill ,l ore, a 30-minu te
interview continued, with just my colleague. On another occasio n,
news bulletin, Before BIt/frill Sore was c"en a yea.r old, \ye were also
I was so sleepy \,:hen 1 was doing an inten-iew and my eyelids felt
producing the 30-n1inute BII/I'fill PrlJ?i. After that it \"a s Kobor Ram
so heavy that I couldn't Stop mysdf: my head hit the microph o ne.
cvery two hours, then c\-ery hour. And so it wem o n until we had a
The person we wcre intervie\\"ing on the phone must have wondered
special progra.mme (::very m o rning and, before we knew it, we were
what the strange sound was. Another time when I fell asleep in the middle of an interview,
broadcas ting straight through, morning to l1ight.
IIy co-workers and T often remin isce about \\-hat has happened
the producer wo ke me up. Awake but da ze d, I grabbed the
to
microphone and said, "Thank yo u for the interview. Good morning."
bd ieve ho\v fa r ,vc\'e come. Today, for example, we ha\'c more
Even though the person being interviewed was in the middle of
than 100 employees, we broadcast via sate llite to a net\\'ork of more
explaining something, and we still had lots of questions fo r him.
over the years at KJ3R 68H. \Ve arc amazed and fi nd it hard
than 400 radio stations. According to a
~ovember
sun"ey, 8 million people across 1ndonesi:l listen
to
2005
\1A R~
KBR 68H.
And I cut him off just like that. I felt really guilty. And embarrassed, of course.
Persooalh-, I would have found it hard to beli cve that K.BR
Ano ther day I was feeLing at the top of my game. One of the
68H \\flUld grow rhj s big, this fast. 1 remember once after fini sl1i.ng:
tOpics of discussion was a proposal that the government set up a
Btlielill Jo rl' (I 'd been working at J<J3R 68H for about a n :ar th en),
national commission on Ind onesian history, so we wanted to im'ite
Santoso asked me to go along ,,>ith him
a historian or hi story lecturer, or an acti\-ist in that field, to be
Faisal Basri. On Lhe
\ \ ' 3"
to
inten iew [cconomi stj
in the taxi, I remember I askcd him what
in rervic\,-ed.
180
Waves of Free dom
The other presenters and I asked about that when the supp ort team were phoning round trying to fmd people to interview. After a few minutes, there
'.\.1S
a message from the producer: " OK. Hilmar
Farid coming up on line t\\lo." He is a young acti\Tist, a graduate of
A Trip Down Memory Lane
181
number, and just let him go on air \yit hout checking first or explaining what the inten'iew would be about. "OK, Tuteng. Thank you for your tim e. And, no\\' listeners, we'll return to Sampan Pagi, after the break ... "
the history faculty at Universitas Indonesia. A n d I know him personally. Another signal: Hilmar Farid's on the line. I started the interview: "Good morning Hilmar Farid ... " The reply was quite unexpected: " Hey, what's all this, changing my name .... : > LvIy name's Tuteng... " Great! This can't be Hilmar Farid. The producer must have written the wrong name down. But, what to do::> Tuteng must be a historian or something like that. So I continued the interview. ''I'm sorry, Tuteng. Your name was noted down wrong. But let's get straight to the point. What do you think of th e idea of setting up a national commission on Indo nesian history? ''What? What national commission's that? "A national commission on history... "
A //oidillg a T II/ellg
" Well ...." Sounded like he was swallowing something and talking at the same time. Maybe he was eating . .. "I think it should just be tagged on to one of the other national commissions ... " M(I !l/(l llIia!
He obviously didn't understand what we were talking
about. And, perhaps the producer hadn't had a chance to brief him beforehand.
I ran out of the studio: "\X/hat are you up to? T hat was a live interview!" Then Tuteng phoned us back. And it was then we found out he was the bodyguard of one of Soeharto's grandchildren. And, of course, he had nothing to do with history. That's an intenriew I'll never forget. And Tuteng holds a special
''What do you mean?"
place in the history of KBR 68H. That episode even coined a new
"Yeah, like I say. There's nothing wrong with the other national
phrase: A Tuteng. As in "That was almost a Tuteng ... ", or "Oh, it's
commissions. So just keep them . . ."
I
a Tuteng." Like John Doe in the world of crime.
Damn! H e didn't have a clue about history, not a clue, and he
Let me tell you another story that shows just how profici ent
was on air, and eating. Our producer must have got the wrong
our journalists at KBR 68H are. Some of us are what young pcopJ e
182
A Trip Down Memory Lane
Waves of Freedom
toda,' would call "oldies". \'lie even like going to old bars just to chat and drink . But \yc're not ashamed of that. Sometimes, we even draw attention to the fact by telling old jokes. Sometimes we text each other stupid jokes about ancient news. Like news from 60 years ago. It starts \\ ith someone se nding some really old information. And " 'e send back other "information". For example "Tbis is top secret. I got it from a reliable source. Ken Arok is going to murder Tunggul Arnetung .... (Tllis is just a joke, of course. Everyone knows th at, in Javanese 13 th centur)' history, Ken Arok killed Tunggul \.metung and married his wife). O ne evening, a KBR 68H journalist came to me, and said qu ietly: "Ging, if you go to hell, it won't be for not praying. It'll be for pulling my leg... " I didn't really cotton on. But then someone else told me the ins and ours of it. The day before, 16 August, around midnight I texted a stupid joke to tbe reportage coordinator, making it look as if it was important information for KBR 68H. I said something like, "A leading figure's been kidn apped by youths and taken
to
Rengasdengklok. Locals have seen him locked up in a house. They swear he's the spitting image of a very important national figure." I made up that joke in reference to an incident that happen ed on 16 August 1945 when a group of youths abducted [Ind o nesia's first president] Soekarno, took him to Rengasdengklok, and forced him to proclaim Indonesia's independence a da\· la ter. And, Soekarno did JUSt that. But this text message was sent o n to the reporter '..vorking the night shift. He was so naive he thought he'd got an exclusive. He immediately got on th e ph o ne to pe o ple in Rengas dengkl ok, including the local police chief. And even sent a journalist there.
183
That reminds me of the journalists who texted the joke, "Adnan Buyung Nasution, i\B N, has business connections with Amroz\" the Bali bomber. T hey own a bank called ARN -Amro." Which is the name o f a D utch-owned international bank. And the journalist from that international ne\vs agency phoned the police
to
informatio n. And the police officer said, "I'll check it out."
ask for
Epilogue
A Challenging Transformation Faisal Basri Chair, P E RGERAK;-\N INDON ESIA I have been following the progress o f KBR 68H sinc e its embr yo stage . Alth ough rel a ti ve ly you ng, KBR 68 H 's perfor mance has been no thing short of spectacular. N o t o nl y because it has gathered togethe r more than 400 private radio statio n s across the archipelago, but rather - and much mo re su bstantially - becau se of its contribution to strengthening one element in the process o f cons olidating democracy. A mid the frenz y of reform and all the excesses it has enge nd ered - which spa rk frequent and un sub stantiated controversy - KBR 68H consistently broadcasts meaningful messages and always tries to take a proportional view of the issues. T here is a b s o l utel y n o d o ubt abou t its concern for strengthening the pillars of civil society. It airs broadcas ts about democracy, human rights, fighting corruption, civil supremacy, 185
186
Epilogue : A Challenging Transformation
Waves of Freedom
187
consumer protection, and empm,vering marginal and o ppressed
station in Jakarta: Radio Utan Kayu. KBR 68H does not go about
groups. Listeners are enriched by its "third" angle prese ntati on
snapping up local radio stations; on the contrary, it empowers
of information. \Ve are not being force fed the narrow and current
them in a partriership framework. What is more, KBR 68H is
interes ts o f g overnment versuS parliame nt , central government
also actively involved in constructing radio stations in remote
ve rsu s regio nal gO\'crn ments, gove rnment h:rsus l'mployers,
areas and rebuilding stations in disaster zones.
employe rs versus employees. Its ideol ogy is clear: stre ngthen civil
The path it chooses is to develop its capacity as a radi o news
socie ty in an environment of free flowing information that covers
agency, as its name implies . Its purpose is clear : to spread
bo th sides. Some have accused KBR 68H of promoting libera li sm. They
enlightening information that does not take anyone's side, never mind that of capital owners.
could be righ t because, among others, KB R 681-1 allocates slots
The future of KBR 68H largely depends on the capacity of
to Jaringan Islam Liberal OIL, Liberal Islam Network), and JIL
its network to grow and develop in a healthy way within an
and KBR 68H are loca ted in the same 'comple x', Komunitas
increasingly conducive external environment, including the
Utan Kayu. But although branded as liberal, to brea k the ice
regulatory framework . Network members wear two hats. As
perhaps, KBR 68H has invited extremist groups
engage in
spearheads expanding the reach of information relayed from
dialogue, an d build tolerance. ::-Jot everyone has accepted thi s
Jakarta; and as sources of information for KBR 68H to be
gesture of goodwill, but m any of their effo rts have borne fr uit.
disseminated across the nation. The two sides benefit enormously
In regi on s of conflict, K BR 68H and its local nenvork stations
from thi s model, not only in terms of costs but also in term s of
have done much to sp read the seeds of friendship an d pea ce,
improving the quality of in forma tion .
to
and have been accepte d by the conflicting sides.
Because it is an unusual business, the challenges facing KBR
looking a t econ omic problems, KBR 68H
68H are different from those of other media organisations,
is in no way a mouthpiece for n eo -lib erali sm. Its programmes
especially radio syndicates where ownership is monopolised. In
When it comes
to
o n empowering mIcr o e nterprises and stren g thening
the future, KBR 68H will have to develop a specific business
entrepreneurship arc just one example. Editorials that retlect the
model in order to survive and continue growing.
views of th e editorial team are far from supporting capitalism
There are ample oppo rtunities for KBR 68H to g row
and the principles of fre e trade and its free fight lib erali sm. On
realising its vision and mission. Regional autonomy will increase
the contrary, KBR 68H is highly critical o f statism and excessive
the capability and cap acity of regions to develop all the potential
government intervention .
their fac tor endowments offer. Regional diversity will promote
10
It s business model is different, too. L nlike radio g ro ups in
local strengthening, which means that in the future, the radio
general, w hich are increasing their grip by acquiring private radio
indu s try will tend towards meeting specific local need s.
stati ons in Jakarta and the regions , KBR 68H has only one radio
Advertising as a key income earner of raelio stations will also be
Waves of Freedom
188
Epilogue: A Challenging Transformation
increasingl y dominated by advertisements of a local nature . Likewise news needs. Local communities "w ill have a greater need for loca l information, fr o m weath er forecasts and price information to local current events. There can be no doubt that in the medium term, the radio industry will become very locali sed . These loca l radio stati o n s of course need information o r broadcasting packages th a t they canno t afford to develop or procu re themselves. Herein lies the importance of KBR 68H: filling the vacuum that local rad io station s cannot.
capacity, but als o the capacity to co nduc t in -depth research of current affairs and of the challenges we face in the mid st of increasingly intensive dynamics of change. Without doubt, an adequate librar y is urgentl y needed. As a first step, KBR 68H could work together with existing research orga nisa ti ons or collaborate with third party sponso rs. KBR 68H has collab orated successfully with central and regional government bodies in disse minating information and articulating public int e res t s and loca l pr ob lems. Also with don or
KBR 68 H ha s m ade it through th e first stage of transform ation. From an NGO type of "activis t journalism" to a kind of journ alism that emphasises professionalism based on modern management. Now it is time to embark on the seco nd stage of transformation - building a strong foundation
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to
create
a concept of independent public radio with adeq uate financial capacity. It would appear that there is a need to increase the conviction of its managers th at what is proposed is no conventional model of commercialisation. Revenue from conventional advertising is important, but it is n ot the be all and end all. For KBR 68H itself, there is no tab oo in generating income from conventional advertising, but it should n o t become its main source of income . In keeping w ith its character as a radio news age nc y, th e greatest chall enge for KBR 68 H managers is p ackaging high va lue, exclusive news for its partners, so that they will be prepared to provide KBR 68 H adequate compensation. Ano ther sou rce of revenue that could be tapp ed is activities
organisations, private companies, and SOEs, as p art of their community dev elop ment or corporate social resp o n sibility programmes. Without havin g t o worry abo ut lo si n g its independence, KBR 68H could develop these programmes even further in the public interest. Wouldn't it be grand to invite private companies and corporations to compete for the publi c good, creating a business community that is more familiar with the social problems around it? Wouldn't initiatives like that be a part of strengthening the consolidation of democracy? Today's wo rld may feel devoid of fresh, inn ovative ide as, but remember you are not alone. Even if yo u are, it does not mean that you cann ot make a difference. Andrew Jackson said "O ne man with courage make s a majority". H ave faith in the words of Jon
~vL
Huntsman in his book Wi17llers Ne ver Cheat,
"There should not be ten sio n betwee n m akin g profits and adhering to tradi ti onal principles of decency and fairness." Good luck ri si ng to new challenges with your accustomed enthusias m. Happy anniversar y KBR 68H.
typ icall y developed by public radio with third-party financing. To do thi s, KBR 68 H must develop adequate re search and development capacity. What is needed is no t only journali stic
Jakarta, 6 Ap ril 2006
