E. Java closes down two unlicensed radio stations

The East Java provincial government had closed down its two radio stations because they did not possess broadcasting licenses, an official said Tuesday.

Head of the communications and information agency Sudjono said that the provincial government closed down Radio Pendidikan (Education Radio) and JT FM to comply with the regulation.

“KPID [The Regional Indonesian Broadcasting Commission] says that that all requirements must be fulfilled. Before they are completely fulfilled, broadcasting should be stopped,” he was quoted by kompas.com as saying.

JT FM, which has been on air for 20 years, was the provincial government’s porthole to communicate government policies.

The East Java KPID noted that 300 radio stations in the province, including 15 in Surabaya, did not have broadcasting licenses.