'It's impossible to count the fees watching TV'<\/p>\n
The plan by TVRI to charge a monthly television fee has received
\na mixed reaction. Many people question the mechanism in
\ncollecting the fee as it will be attached to the electricity
\nbill, the amount of which is based on usage. The Jakarta Post
\ntalked to some residents on the issue.<\/p>\n
Tarjuki, 40, is a taxi driver. He lives in Ciputat, Tangerang:<\/p>\n
I wouldn't object if TVRI started to collect fees for my
\ntelevision sets. What can an ordinary person like me do? But my
\nhard-sought earnings will surely be reduced amid all these recent
\nprice hikes in household needs.<\/p>\n
I'd like to know how TVRI will calculate the fee: I hope it
\nwill be based on how much someone uses their TV set.<\/p>\n
The thing is, I rarely watch TV, even though I have one. I'm
\nalways so tired after my working shift I prefer simply to sleep
\nafterwards. I only watch TV when I have a day off.<\/p>\n
How about those who have more than one TV set? I wonder how
\nTVRI will determine their fee. It would be unfair if wealthier
\npeople paid the fee for only one TV set, although they had more.<\/p>\n
Hendra, 30, works at a private consulting firm on Jl.
\nSudirman, South Jakarta. He lives with his wife in Bintaro,
\nTangerang:<\/p>\n
I understand that TVRI can't air commercials if it wants to be
\na public TV station, but it should improve its programs and
\nmarketing strategy to attract sponsors, instead of imposing fees
\non the public to finance its operations.<\/p>\n
If TVRI management can come up with interesting programs and
\npromote them well, especially as part of their social mission to
\ninform and educate the public, I'm sure many companies would be
\ninterested in sponsoring TVRI.<\/p>\n
I doubt the fee scheme will be effective. The problem with the
\nnew scheme, which ties it to electricity bills, is that people
\nwill eventually question the relationship.<\/p>\n
What happens if someone doesn't have a TV, even though he uses
\nelectricity for other purposes? What happens if someone has more
\nthan one TV set? Will TVRI adjust its fees accordingly, or will
\nit just impose a flat rate?<\/p>\n
It's fairly easy to charge for electricity, telephone and
\nwater based on usage, but it's impossible to calculate what the
\ncharge should be for television viewing.<\/p>\n
-- The Jakarta Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/its-impossible-to-count-the-fees-watching-tv-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }