Festive and rowdy TV programs<\/p>\n
On Jan. 6 at 8 p.m. Metro TV aired a video of the tsunami in
\naction which was recorded by a family member of the Aceh Police
\nchief who also perished in the disaster. The family video, which
\nshowed the moments after the earthquake and those leading to the
\nactual disaster, couldn't have described better how powerful and
\nlethal the waves were.<\/p>\n
It was terrifying enough for the viewers to watch the forceful
\nwall of water crashing into everything that was in its path. It
\nwas disturbing also to see the distraught family members in total
\npanic and I wonder with concern whether such private moments
\nshould have been put on air.<\/p>\n
As I switched to other channels, I stumbled upon a more
\ndisturbing scene; a scene in which a male singer and a group of
\nfemale dancers joyously sang Indonesia mengoyang gyrating
\nmerrily to the beat, as if in mockery of the solemn theme of
\nMetro TV Indonesia menangis (Indonesia cries).<\/p>\n
It turned out to be a dangdut program of Trans TV. I may be
\noverreacting by feeling revolted. It's a shame that some of the
\nTV stations don't show enough sensitivity by temporarily
\nrefraining from airing program of such nature at least to show
\nrespect for the hundreds of thousands of Achenese who have died
\nin the disaster and millions of survivors who are still
\nstruggling to come to terms with the tremendous losses. These TV
\nstations may be collecting a large sum of money for charity for
\nthe victims, but they should realize that the simple courtesy of
\ntemporarily suspending excessively festive and rowdy programs is
\nalso an equally charitable act.<\/p>\n
We don't have to put on a solemn face to show that we care, or
\ncry in public to show our sadness. Neither do we have to stay
\naway from our normal activities, or do anything else that is
\nbeyond our means to help the victims. Life does go on and the
\nlives of the living should go on as pleasantly as possible and we
\ncan do so in many respectful ways. A little civility goes a long
\nway.<\/p>\n
S. W. TJAHJONO, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/festive-and-rowdy-tv-programs-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }