Nani Afrida, Banda Aceh – Journalists in Aceh Nanggroe Darussalam have protested against a draft qanun (bylaw) on Islamic media and broadcasting proposed by the Aceh legislature and the provincial broadcasting regulator.

The press code of ethics and Press Law No. 40/1999 had been accommodating, but the proposed qanun was "an exaggeration", the journalists said.

"Frankly speaking, I still am not aware as to which area they would pursue, the news contents or a journalist's personality," said the head of Aceh's Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) Dahlan TH on Tuesday.

Dahlan said the current journalistic code of ethics and media law had sufficed and was in line with any religion in the country. He said his association would object to the ordinance if it later deviated from both guidelines which had been so far implemented. "The qanun must maintain national interests," he said.

Official data said around 300 to 350 journalists work in Aceh, 70 percent of whom are employed by dailies outside the province, including national and provincial newspapers.

Dahlan said he did not know if the ordinance could be applied to journalists who worked for the media outside the province. "I think it's better to use the standard regulations," he said.

Chairman of Lhokseumawe's Independent Journalists Alliance (AJI) Ayi Jufridar also said the proposed qanun was "too implausible". "Sincerely, I'm confused about what its objectives are," he said. "Or should Aceh journalists write Islamic news?"

He said Aceh journalists should actually promote the Press Law and code of ethics, especially among the younger reporters. "Why should they legislate another ordinance?" Ayi said.

The qanun on Islamic media and broadcasting is mandated in Aceh Administrative Law No. 11/2006.

Article 153 says the Aceh administration has the authority to decide on media and broadcasting affairs according to Islamic values. It also says Aceh's administration must coordinate with the Aceh Broadcasting Commission (KPID) in determining the broadcasting code and programs being aired.

KPID head Iskandar Gani said the draft ordinance was still a proposal and his office would involve local journalists in the process.

"This is not a compulsion, but it is mandated in the Aceh administrative law. We are just executing it," Iskandar said.