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No new radio for Denpasar, Badung: Bali Broadcasting Commission
The Bali Regional Broadcasting Commission (KPID) announced that Badung regency and Denpasar municipality would not be receiving new radio stations
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he Bali Regional Broadcasting Commission (KPID) announced that Badung regency and Denpasar municipality would not be receiving new radio stations.
"All the allocated radio frequencies in Badung and Denpasar have been filled by the existing stations, so these two areas no longer have any available frequencies for new stations," KPID chairman Komang Suarsana said recently.
Currently, there are 62 radio stations operating on the island. A large majority of these stations, according to Suarsana, are based in Denpasar.
"We are still receiving applications for the establishment of new radio stations. We advised the applicants to relocate their radio's operational bases to regions outside Badung and Denpasar," he said.
The Commission has received as many as four applications for new radio stations.
"Two stations will be operating in Bangli regency and another two will be in Karangasem and Gianyar regencies, respectively," he said.
"We are still processing their licenses. As long as the applicants fulfill all the required documents, then we will soon issue their licenses," he said.
When asked about the content of the station's programs, Suarsana said they had so far abided by the standards issued by the commission.
"We urge the management of the radio stations to play an active role in maintaining the standards as well as participating in the commission's regular hearing and evaluation sessions," Suarsana told.
Ida Ayu Ratna Wesnawati, a lecturer at the Communication Faculty of Dwijendra University, said the content of radio programs in Bali was still acceptable and in line with the prevailing social and cultural norms.
"Sometimes, the broadcasts advertise commercials which contain indecent words, but these occurrences are exceptions, not everyday instances," she said.
The commission recently censored a local radio station for airing a talk show on issues relating to sexuality.
"The language used in the program was too vulgar and the 9:00 a.m. time slot was insensitive. We were very concerned that children might tune in, so we censored the station," Suarsana said.
The station responded to the censoring by firing the host of the talk show.
