The History of Broadcasting in Indonesia

The broadcasting gives much contribution in the social life today. By broadcasting media, you could get the update knowledge and hot issues around you. It also becomes a real weapon for a government to campaign the program and announce the policy as well.  That is why having a good broadcasting media is important for a country.

The broadcasting in Indonesia didn’t instantly develop by itself.  The broadcasting also has a long history you need to know.

1. Before Independence Day

It was started in 1925 when the Dutch colonialism in Indonesia. There was Dr. De Groot who successfully communicated through a Radio station in Malabar, West Java. Then it was followed by the establishment of Batavia Radio Vereniging and Nirom. On the next five year, Indonesia Radio Amateur conducted an organization called NIVERA (Nederland Indische Vereniging Radio Amateur). It was the first radio amateur organization in Indonesia which was officially legalized by the Dutch Colonial Government.

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2. The Broadcasting contribution to the Indonesia independence day

In 1945s, it was Gunawan who could successfully announced the Independence Day proclamation text through a simple amateur radio device. The government really appreciated his innovation. His radio could be the precious thing for the history of Indonesia Independence day. Now, the radio is displayed in National Museum of Indonesia.

In the end of 1945, there was an organization called PRAI (Persatoean Radio Anatir Indonesia). It was the organization of the amateur radio unity in Indonesia. Then, there were a lot of young people made their own transceiver radio to communicate between Java and Sumatra.

3. Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI)

RRI is the Indonesian amateur radio that supported the government program in 1945. On September 11, 1945, Japan Radio established RRI in the 6 cities in Indonesia. On that day, there was a meeting that chose Dr Abdulrahman Saleh as the first CEO of RRI. The meeting yielded a declaration called Piagam 11 September 1945. There were three main jobs of RRI that was named Tri Prasetya RRI. The main jobs were reflected the commitment of RRI to be neutral.

RRI today has 52 broadcasting station. There is also the special abroad broadcasting that has 10 languages. It has well developed since its function toward the government system.

4. In 1952, the government tighten the rule of amateur radio

It was in 1952, the government created the policy of radio amateur. All of the amateur radio banned to broadcast except the government amateur radio. The radio station which broke the rule could get subversive sanction. The amateur radio activity was stopped in 1952-1965. The illegal radio station would get some sanctions.

However, in 1966s, the enthusiasm of Indonesians in broadcasting through amateur radio could not be blocked anymore. It was Ampera, the united action from Indonesia to fight for the Orde Baru (New era of the government Indonesia).

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5. Television Broadcasting

The first broadcasting through television in Indonesia was started in 1962 when TVRI (Televisi Republik Indonesia) station had a live broadcasting on the 17^th Independence Day ceremony. It was the trial broadcasting. The official TVRI broadcasting was conducted on 24 August 1962 at 14.30. It broadcasted the opening of Asean Games IV from the main stadium of Gelora Bung Karno.

It was the start when TVRI used as the station call up to now. During 1962-1963, TVRI broadcasted an hour per day with the really simple video quality.

6. The development of Television Broadcasting

All of the people in Indonesia seemed enthusiastic to get TV broadcasting through their own TV set at home.  So, in August 1976s, Mr. President Soeharto officially legalized the use of Palapa Satelite to support the broadcasting in Indonesia.

Since 1989, TVRI has many competitors from other broadcaster stations. The first competitor is RCTI (Rajawali Citra Televisi Indonesia) as the commercial station. Then the next competitors are Surya Citra Televisi (SCTV), Televisi Pendidikan Indonesia (TPI), Andalas Televisi (ANTV), Indosiar, TV7, Lativi, Metro TV, JakTV, Bali TV, and so on.

These are the history of broadcasting in Indonesia. Although there have already been many TV stations in Indonesia, the function of TV could never replace the radio broadcasting.  That is why the radio broadcasting still exists up to now.

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