The West Java Broadcasting Commission (KPID Jabar) has issued a circular to 471 broadcasters and television and radio stations in West Java, ordering them to limit the broadcast of 17 songs deemed suggestive to between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m.

The enforcement of the regulation is in progress, West Java KPID head Dedeh Fardiah told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

The circular, titled “Limitation to English-language Songs”, was issued on Feb. 11 as a result of a plenary meeting, Dedeh said.

The regulation was drafted based on several articles in KPI Regulation No.02/2012 on broadcasting program standards, which obliges broadcasters to limit explicit content and respect the norms of decency embraced by different religions and ethnic groups and those of different cultural backgrounds, ages and socioeconomic statuses. The circular also underlines the importance of protecting children in all aspects of broadcast
production.

“Through the circular, we do not prohibit the broadcasting. Instead, we limit the airplay,” Dedeh said.

According to Dedeh, West Java KPID studied the lyrics of the songs based on society reports from 2018 to 2019.

“We study the lyrics because they can lead to multiple interpretations,” Dedeh said. “We had a meeting with experts before holding the plenary meeting and issuing the circular.”

This is not the first time that West Java KPID has issued such a circular. In 2011, it issued a regulation limiting the airplay of several dangdut songs that were deemed inappropriate for audiences during general broadcasting hours.

The dangdut songs that were considered sexually explicit, “Mobil Bergoyang” (Shaking Car), “Cinta Satu Malam” (One Night Stand), “Hamil Duluan” (Pregnant Before Marriage), “Aku Ingin Dilubangi” (I Want to be Penetrated) and “Mari Bercinta” (Let’s Make Love), were subject to a limited broadcast following the public report.

“Our concern is to protect the children,” Dedeh said. “This [regulation] only encourages society to be more critical. There might be more [songs reported] after the circular is issued.”

Separately, the head of popular Bandung radio station PR FM, Muhammad Fauzi, said his broadcasters had been briefed to be selective in choosing which songs to play even before the circular had been issued.

“Our standard operating procedures determine the selection of songs made […] The songs should not contain ethnically, religiously, racially or politically sensitive material. We never broadcast songs with vulgar [lyrics] or profanity, or pro-LGBT campaign [songs],” Fauzi said.

Arian Arifin, a member of metal band Seringai, said he was opposed to the regulation, arguing it was unclear.

“The title is misleading, is it a limitation on English lyrics or explicit content?” he told the Post.

“Article 5b of the circular, which talks about protecting moral and religious values, is cringey.

“I never agree to censorship. People’s morals come from parental guidance and education at school. The state does not need to give guidelines or ratings like the film industry does,” he added.

Iit Sukmiati, the owner of an independent record store in Bandung, Omuniuum, also objected the song censorship.

“The KPI [Indonesian Broadcasting Commission] can impose censors on this stuff but, in reality, there are many more things that are morally reprehensible than salacious songs,” she said.

She also implied that the circular might not be effective in stopping listeners from finding a way to access the songs.

“It is only natural that people find a way to do prohibited things. If the radio and TV stop broadcasting them, they can still enjoy the songs from streaming platforms like YouTube,” she said.

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