Political talk shows: Rebel without a pause<\/p>\n
By Antariksawan Jusuf<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): They may not have the mass appeal of news
\nprograms broadcast during the recent turmoil, but television
\npolitical talk shows have apparently stolen many people's hearts.<\/p>\n
The programs provide the audience with differing views on
\ninteresting topics through lively and entertaining debates.<\/p>\n
Guest speakers include experts and intellectuals not only from
\nthe government's side but also critics, who clearly state their
\narguments and objections.<\/p>\n
They speak bluntly without any hesitation, revealing facts and
\nideas.<\/p>\n
And why not. There is strong demand for freedom of expression
\nin the spirit of reform and there is no fear of speaking out, as
\nonce was the case.<\/p>\n
Andreas Ambessa, head of Indosiar public relations, however,
\nhopes that the speakers will apply self-censorship.<\/p>\n
"We have a policy to give every guest the freedom to speak
\ntheir mind, although we hope that they don't attack government
\ninstitutions, groups or organizations, and avoid discussing SARA
\n(tribal affiliations, religion, race and societal groups)," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Some television political talk shows were known for their
\ncritical stance against the government long before the current
\nera of reform.<\/p>\n
Host of SCTV's Dibalik Berita (Behind the News), Riza Primadi,
\nrecalled that in January 1997, chief editor of Media Indonesia
\ndaily Surya Paloh called on the people to directly express their
\nwish to oust former president Soeharto when he was a guest on the
\nshow.<\/p>\n
"Why should people use such rhetoric. If they don't like Pak
\nHarto, why don't they just say so," Paloh said.<\/p>\n
Riza went into hiding for two days after the program was
\naired. "I was so scared at the time. It was the most frightening
\nmoment of my life," Riza, a former BBC reporter, said.<\/p>\n
Riza is a fast learner. He was summoned by police following an
\nearlier program which unveiled alleged dirty business in the
\npolice force.<\/p>\n
Dibalik Berita is not the station's first critical talk show.
\nIn March 1994 it began to air Perspektif, a program which became
\nboth popular and notorious for the down-to-earth criticism
\nexpressed in dialog between the host Wimar Witoelar and his
\nguests. The program was taken of the air in June 1995 after the
\ngovernment put pressure on the station.<\/p>\n
The show now extends its charm to fans through Perspektif
\nLive, a version of the show held in hotels, shopping malls, cafes
\nand campuses. For followers in other parts of the country, the
\nseparately organized Perspektif Baru can be heard on several
\nprivate radio stations. A text version also appears in at least
\nfour newspapers and Perpektif On-line can be browsed through by
\nthose with access to the Internet.<\/p>\n
Wimar now hosts a similar but less serious program called
\nSelayang Pandang, where he meets his guests in the setting of a
\ncafe. However, fans of the presenter feel that the relaxed
\nsetting has blunted the edge of Wimar's famously provocative
\nquestions which often cornered his guests into giving
\ncontroversial off-the-cuff responses.<\/p>\n
Finger-pointing, considered taboo in traditional Javanese
\nsociety, appears in many talk shows, including Aspirasi (TPI),
\nwhich came on the air in January 1997.<\/p>\n
The live show features a host and various guests, mostly top
\ngovernment officials such as governors, mayors and prominent
\npublic figures including former ministers. The host invites
\nviewers to phone in and express their opinions about current
\nissues. Callers are allowed to condemn bad practice and voice
\ncomplaints on a whole range of formerly sensitive issues,
\nincluding bad service from the government.<\/p>\n
The show is very daring because in Indonesia the government is
\nviewed as being the master to be served, not the public servant.<\/p>\n
"My show is very open and free. We have always discussed
\neverything live. We began having live discussions a long time
\nbefore pressure for freedom of speech began to mount, but I never
\nreceived calls from government officials," Haris Jauhari, who is
\nresponsible for Aspirasi, said.<\/p>\n
Televised political talk shows are now considered to be a
\nsurefire and inexpensive way to uplift the image of a television
\nstation and boost ratings.<\/p>\n
Each station in the country, including state-run TVRI,
\nbroadcasts at least one.<\/p>\n
"It's just a form of entertainment which allows people to
\nexpress their thoughts at the same time," Haris, a former Pikiran
\nRakyat reporter, said.<\/p>\n
Haris and Riza agree that talk shows are targeted at an
\neducated audience and do not cater to mass tastes. The programs,
\nthey say, only help to widen the horizon of people who are
\nalready critical of the status quo.<\/p>\n
Guests aside, there has not been much change to the format and
\ncontent of talk shows since the government relaxed its stance on
\nthe media.<\/p>\n
Dibalik Berita, which insists on airing the show as it was
\nrecorded or not at all, last year had to drop two programs in
\nwhich highly sensitive issues were discussed. One program
\ndiscussed the former Portuguese colony of East Timor and the
\nsecond held a debate on national succession in which a guest
\ndirectly called on then president Soeharto to step down.<\/p>\n
"Now we are free to invite critical voices such as Muchtar
\nPakpahan, Sri Bintang Pamungkas and Megawati (Soekarnoputri),"
\nRiza said.<\/p>",
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