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Articles
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COMMUNITY RADIO OF BALAI BUDAYA MINOMARTANI YOGYAKARTA, INDONESIA
SAVPUSKAT
We are happy learning that community radio movement is developing in Asia region,
such as Bangladesh, India, the Philippines and Indonesia. As we know, some international
organizations such as Signis Asia, AR-WACC, and Ford Foundation are supporting
this movement. We want to share our experience of organizing community radio in
Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Puskat Audio Visual Studio together people surrounding Balai Budaya Minomartani
(Village Hall of Minomartani) started a community radio in 1995. This radio was
already popular among the villagers (radius 4 km) in 1995-1998. But then the local
government stopped the operation in 1998 because we didn’t have a license.
We dared to be on air again from 1999-2000 because the people needed this radio.
But then the local government banned the radio. Since then a radio community movement
started a networking through out the country. We struggled to renew our broadcasting
law.
Finally, in November 2002 the Indonesian government signed a new broadcasting
law, giving right for people to build community radio. Before the signing of this
new law, since July 2002 our community radio has been on air supported by the
people and radio community networking. Nearby Yogyakarta there are now already
52 community radio.
Our community radio – Radio of Balai Budaya Minomartani – is now becoming more
popular. This radio is on air every day from 6:00 – 12:00 p.m. (FM 107,9 Mhz).
Children, the youth and adult involve in this radio. Mr. Surowo, staff at Puskat
Audio Visual Studio, is very active in this radio. We have volunteers as announcers
(children, youth, adult). We have some regular programs: cultural program, educational
program, and interactive dialogue via telephone. People surrounding the station
support our need such as sharing food when we have meeting with the audiences
or allowing us to use their equipment when our equipment is broken. Recently,
on January 15-18, 2004 Mr. Errol Jonathans from Radio Suara Surabaya in cooperation
with Ford Foundation organized a production training for 18 volunteers of Radio
BBM.
Early January 2003, two members of Indonesian Parliament visited our radio and
discussed some important issues with the people and 26 members of community radio
network. This discussion was broadcast directly, so that the villagers in radius
4 km listened this dialog. This meeting was also recorded, so that other community
radio broadcast it in their respective areas.
On Wednesday, January 29, 2003 (8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.) Sultan Hamengku Buwono
X (the King of Yogyakarta, the governor of Yogyakarta Province) visited this radio
and discussed important issue about the future of community radio in Indonesia,
especially in Yogyakarta Province. There were about 200 people (with various religious
background) gathering and having dialogue with the Sultan. This discussion was
also broadcast directly, so that other audiences could participate through phone
line. The Sultan encourages the community to manage this radio and motivate the
community radio networking to communicate with the Department of Telecommunication
and the local government in order to get a mutual understanding. The Sultan supports
this community radio. He hopes that the community radio promotes peaceful life
among religions, freedom of expression, local culture, and people participation.
During the dialogue, a traditional orchestra (gamelan) performance was presented
by a group of women. The Sultan was very happy that people still concern to cultivate
their local culture.
I hope, you learn about this good news, coming from Minomartani village, Yogyakarta,
Indonesia. ***
Community Radio of Balai Budaya Minomartani: radio4all@telkom.net
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Balai Budaya Sinduharjo
Jl Kaliurang Km. 8,5 Jaban
Sinduharjo Ngaglik Sleman Yogyakarta INDONESIA
Telp. +62-274-883539
Fax. +62-274-883538 |
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