Entertainment programming<\/p>\n
My lifetime in Indonesia has spanned three decades -- the last
\nfour years as a foreign journalist. As such, I could not be
\nhappier to see my Indonesian colleagues finally gain the true
\nvoice of journalists, and a level of \"freedom of press\". The yin
\nof the yang in such freedom is the delicate balance of
\nresponsibility.<\/p>\n
This balance is, by extension, a responsibility bestowed to
\nmedia at all levels, including programming on public television.
\nI can only say that I was shocked and dismayed to see the
\nselection of \"entertainment\" chosen by SCTV on Dec. 27, in
\npresentation of an action drama entitled Riot. The title alone
\nshould have been enough for programming executive to question the
\nwisdom of such a selection. We are not looking for the \"self-
\ncensure\" as mandated under the old regime, but common sense in
\nselecting the few English-language programs which are made
\navailable for local viewers.<\/p>\n
Of the zillions of English-language programs available -- or
\neven let's narrow it down to the \"action\" programs which seems to
\nbe the preferred selection of local viewers (or at least those
\nwho choose the programming for viewers) -- does a selection
\ncalled Riot not send up any flares in these sensitive times? I
\nwatch the entire broadcast because there was no other English-
\nlanguage selection available. At least I watched until I was so
\nangry I sat down to write this letter.<\/p>\n
Look to the streets and cover what is actually happening in
\nthis country. That's drama enough. But to glorify it by a
\nHollywood presentation? The fact that Riot was a \"Holiday\"
\nselection, in that it was set on Christmas Eve, is not an excuse.
\nI can think of dozens of traditional and contemporary English-
\nlanguage \"holiday\" entertainment selections which would bring
\nlevity during these difficult times. This film did not even bring
\na redeeming message that we, living in a \"riot-like\" reality,
\ncold learn a lesson from.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, SCTV chose Riot, a film that depicted disaster
\nin a city, burning it to the ground, sending frightened citizens
\nbehind locked doors while hoodlums controlled the streets. It
\nlooked like Glodok in May. Beyond this, it depicted kidnapping of
\ndependents of foreign nationals for ransom and the death of
\nnumerous \"good guys\" who were part of the \"rescue team\". In other
\nwords, it set up scenarios yet to be carried out by the as-yet-
\nidentified \"underground\" factions bent on destruction of
\nIndonesia's social fiber.<\/p>\n
To fathom that anything depicting and romanticizing any aspect
\nof riot and mayhem should be appropriate to -- not only the
\nholiday season but -- these sensitive, difficult and volatile
\ntimes is beyond understanding.<\/p>\n
While I have never been a fan of the continuous \"blood and
\ngore\" selection of private television programmers in Indonesia, I
\nmust decry as a very poor selection the choice of Riot, to be
\naired as \"holiday programming\" in a very sensitive era for this
\nnation. Perhaps programmers seek the most economical offerings
\nfrom a limited synopsis provided by agents. But if this is a
\nsample of what they wind up with, I'd rather watch another bad
\nIndian movie dubbed in English or Indonesian, whatever the
\nfluctuating current ruling tends to be.<\/p>\n
Programmers, please review your selections and seek quality
\nrather than economics. And give us something with redeeming value
\nrather than blood and guts. There is plenty out there to choose
\nfrom and, with the limited English-language programming you
\nprovide to the public, can you at least balance it with some bad
\nand good -- a reflection of reality rather than a monotonous menu
\nof what we see all too well reflected in the current
\ncircumstances around us on the streets today -- and ideas that
\nthe \"Ninjas\" haven't already yet come up with?<\/p>\n
DEBE CAMPBELL<\/p>\n
Bali<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/entertainment-programming-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }