Envoys in friendly territory on English talk show<\/p>\n
By Bruce Emond<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Do not expect any diplomatic incidents during 30
\nMinutes with a Friend, the new talk show every Tuesday at 8:30
\np.m. on TPI.<\/p>\n
The show, consisting of half-hour interviews with foreign
\nambassadors to Indonesia, gives the countries a friendly forum to
\nput their best face forward. The countries are shown in soft
\nfocus, with host Brigitta Priscilla providing neat segues between
\nthe topics.<\/p>\n
Of particular interest is that the shows are in English and
\nare usually broadcast live. Locally produced English-language
\nshows are a rarity in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Brigitta, formerly a newsreader on SCTV's English-language
\nmorning news, ably delivers the questions in American-accented
\nEnglish. If anything, the show occasionally exposes the less than
\nproficient language skills of the foreign envoys.<\/p>\n
Still, it is all in good fun. The ambassadors get the
\nopportunity to talk about their countries' friendly relations
\nwith Indonesia, sometimes offering a little insight into their
\ncultures back home.<\/p>\n
It's not all hard facts and figures. In one of the first
\nshows, viewers were treated to a traditional dance performance by
\na pair of blond tykes from Finland as the end credits rolled. It
\nfollowed a lengthy discussion by the Finnish ambassador about his
\ncountry's expertise in forestry and how it was being used to help
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
Despite the we're-all-friends-here nature of the show,
\nsometimes one wishes Brigitta would push the envelope just a tad.
\nOf course, it is not a matter of dredging up a country's sorry
\nrecord on human rights, or a major conflict raging on its
\nborders. Instead, it is about taking the discussion one level up
\nfrom the pedestrian.<\/p>\n
For instance, when an ambassador talks about bilateral trade
\nrelations, and reveals a huge deficit in his country's favor, the
\ninevitable question is what can Indonesia do to have a little
\nmore business coming its way. It does not seem too impertinent an
\ninquiry, but it goes unasked.<\/p>\n
Last Tuesday's show featured the ambassador of Morocco, who
\nventured down the same path of his predecessors with a discussion
\nof the good relations between the two nations. It was unusual in
\nthat the show was taped instead of being broadcast live.<\/p>\n
The show, which uses the interesting advertising blurb of
\nfeaturing "performing (?) foreign ambassador from each country in
\nJakarta", will next feature the ambassador of Switzerland, Gerald
\nFonjallaz, on Aug. 8. Scheduled for coming weeks are the
\nambassadors of the Slovak Republic, Canada, Chile, Denmark and
\nBangladesh.<\/p>\n
While Brigitta may not have the skills of an Oprah Winfrey or
\nLarry King (nor would one expect her to), she does what is
\nrequired to keep the show running along smoothly. 30 Minutes with
\na Friend, while not the most riveting viewing on the tube, is
\nnevertheless a fine opportunity to hear a little bit of the
\ninternational language as it is spoken around the world.<\/p>",
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