Starting an Indonesian Publishing Company

How to Start a Publishing Company in Indonesia

Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world with a population of over 260 million. Of this population, the majority are 24 years old or younger. Therefore, it could be very lucrative for one to start a publishing company in Indonesia because there would be a great many customers who are students. This is because students would require published material for the purposes of their studies. For this reason, Indonesia is an extremely suitable country for a prospective business owner to start a publishing company. This fact is reflected in the high value of the country’s publishing industry. According to the latest statistics, the net annual revenue of the publishing industry in Indonesia is approximately US$466 million. Furthermore, the country’s economy has seen a tremendous amount of evolution over recent years which has served to make it one of the world’s primary beneficiaries of global economic modernization and development.

Publishing is one of the most developed sectors of the economy of Indonesia. Many people all over the country have taken an interest in the publishing of their documents for any of a variety of reasons. Therefore, those who choose to start a publishing business in Indonesia and run it in a suitable manner will find much success in that business venture.

The establishment of a publishing company in Indonesia is open to everyone. This means that any interested foreign business owners who are willing to set up such a company in the country may do so in the same way as any local. Before starting the company, a foreign business owner is expected to first obtain permission from the Indonesian Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM). This is a critical step because the BKPM oversees all business activities, including those of publishing companies, which take place in Indonesia.

With regard to the establishment of a publishing or any other company in Indonesia, we at Paul Hype Page & Co can meet all of your needs. Our incorporation experts will work with you so that your new Indonesia-based company will be established according to the laws of the country. We will also see to it that all of your regulatory compliance matters are fully managed before your company commences its business operations.

Registering a Publishing Company in Indonesia

Once a business owner has decided to start a publishing company in Indonesia, the next step to be taken is that of depositing the required amount of share capital in the bank which contains the corporate bank account of the business owner. The business owner must then obtain the company’s incorporation documents and have them drafted and filled in an appropriate manner. At this point, the business owner must decide on what published material will be produced by the publishing company. Those who own a company which is to publish printed materials may publish magazines, newspapers, books, journals, and manuals, among others. Owners of a digital publishing company, on the other hand, may publish materials such as online media content, electronic media content, and CDs.

Licenses Required to Start a Publishing Company in Indonesia

Starting a publishing company in Indonesia requires an individual to have a business license as well as a certificate of registration. Official permission to carry out business activities in Indonesia is necessary before any business activities may be performed by the publishing company in question. Once all required licenses and certificates have been received, the publishing company may proceed to the step of registration with the National Press Council.

It is worth noting that Indonesia frequently reviews and updates its publishing and digital publishing requirements to curb the spread of illegal activity related to publishing in the country. Therefore, it is necessary for anyone who starts a publishing company in Indonesia to become more familiar with all requirements so that the establishment of the publishing company itself will grant much success to the business owner.

Authorities Overseeing Publishing Companies in Indonesia

There are two primary authorities which oversee publishing companies in Indonesia; one is an international body while the other is a local body. The international body is the International Publishers Association. The Indonesian Publishers Association is a member of this international body which is the world’s largest federation of publishing associations. The International Publishers Association protects the freedom to publish in every country in which it has a presence, including Indonesia.

The local body which oversees publishing companies in Indonesia is the National Press Council. The National Press Council is tasked with the responsibility of regulation of the publishing industry in Indonesia. It was originally established to assist the government of Indonesia with the development of the press as well as the publishing industry of Indonesia. Today, however, the National Press Council has a different but equally important role; that of defending the freedom of the press in Indonesia.

Laws Governing Publishing Companies in Indonesia

The laws in Indonesia which govern publishing companies find their sources from a combination of customary and colonial-era laws. These laws are necessary because anyone who chooses to enter the publishing industry must be able to ensure that the publishing business to be established will not be involved in the printing of prohibited documents or the infringement of the rights of any other people. There are several laws which govern the publishing companies of Indonesia. These important laws are to be followed by every publishing company in the country to prevent severe punishments from being imposed upon such companies. Among the most important laws which are related to the publishing companies of Indonesia are the Social Media Law, the Press Principal Provisions, the Independence of the Press Law, and the National Press Law. Companies involved in digital publishing must also adhere to the specifications stated in the Cybercrime Law.

The Press Principal Provisions are the oldest publishing laws in Indonesia. The Press Principal Provisions came into force in 1966. It is also worth mentioning that Indonesia is the first country in the world to have a law which governs the publishing of content on social media channels.

There are also publishing laws related to the licenses which must be possessed by any publishing company based in Indonesia. The primary reason behind the obtaining of a license is to allow the authorities to be able to monitor the business activities of the company, thus ensuring that it is not in violation of any other laws. Every publishing company based in Indonesia is required to have its own copyright. Indonesian publishing company owners must also see to it that their company does not illegally use anyone else’s copyright for their own products. Such an act is illegal; those found guilty will be at risk of fines or imprisonment.

Production of illegal documents is and might place the publishing company at fault at risk of revocation of licenses issued by the government as well as any communications and media authorities. Digital publishing companies must also be certain that they do not commit any crimes related to digital media. Such crimes which are punishable according to the laws of Indonesia include cyberbullying as well as the publication of false news.

Exposing of the government’s essential information by a publishing company to other countries places the country’s security at risk; therefore, Indonesia’s publishing companies are not permitted to do so. This law was put in place to ensure that the information which is only to be viewed by the Indonesian government as well as those to whom the government has granted permission remains strictly confidential.

Everyone who owns a publishing company in Indonesia is legally obliged to adhere to every one of the laws; anyone who does so will find that their company will receive much business success leading to an increase in overall profit levels.