Small screen a big influence in RI<\/p>\n
Since the state-run TVRI network made its debut broadcast on
\nAug. 24, 1962, television has exerted a huge impact on society.
\nThe advent of private stations has provided more variety for
\nviewers, although some argue the quality is still lacking. As
\nseveral stations celebrate their anniversaries, The Jakarta
\nPost's Rita A. Widiadana examines the country's TV times.<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): It's Sunday morning, better known in many
\nhouseholds as time for uninterrupted cartoons.<\/p>\n
From 6 a.m. to 11 a.m., children across the country are parked
\nin front of their TV sets.<\/p>\n
Skipping their breakfast and morning bath, they cling to their
\nremote controls, surfing between channels to take in all their
\nfavorite cartoons.<\/p>\n
There is so much to choose from -- Doraemon on RCTI, Ninja
\nHatori and Klub Disney on Indosiar, Popeye and Son and Looney
\nTooney on TPI, plus Superman III and Batman Animated
\non SCTV.<\/p>\n
Many weary parents complain their offspring cannot be budged
\nwhen their favorite programs are on television. Forget about
\ngetting some exercise, going to Sunday school or visiting friends
\nand family.<\/p>\n
\"I feel so concerned that my children may be addicted to
\ntelevision,\" said Darwinsyah, a father of three sons.<\/p>\n
Nuraini, a housewife and mother of four, is also worried that
\na constant diet of TV may have a negative impact on her
\nchildren's physical, emotional and intellectual development.<\/p>\n
She has a point. A 30-year study done by the American Medical
\nAssociation found \"long-lasting\" effects from children's exposure
\nto violence in the media.<\/p>\n
Viewing violence in shows on TV, as well as video and computer
\ngames, can lead to increased aggressive attitudes, values and
\nbehavior, particularly in children, the study said.<\/p>\n
Although millions of parents like Darwinsyah and Nuraini worry
\nabout their children watching the tube, they themselves may be
\nsetting a bad example.<\/p>\n
Darwinsyah makes sure to watch English and Italian soccer
\nleague matches whenever he can. Nuraini takes time out from her
\nbusy schedule to fit in local and foreign soap operas.<\/p>\n
Television has undoubtedly affected the lives of Indonesians
\nsince its debut 38 years ago.<\/p>\n
Economic development and the affordability of TV sets has
\nbrought television into far-flung corners of the country. For
\nmore than 25 years, there was only TVRI, but a new era dawned
\nwhen RCTI began broadcasting in 1990.<\/p>\n
Although the licenses for private stations were once only
\ndivvied out to members of the then first family or their friends,
\nmore stations are expected to set up business in the near future.<\/p>\n
American style<\/p>\n
Television is a dominant force in the lives of both the young
\nand adults. Next to working and sleeping, urbanites and villagers
\nspend the largest part of their time watching television.<\/p>\n
American style fare -- reality TV, soap operas, game shows,
\ntalk shows, TV movies, feature films, sports and news programs --
\nare forcing the predominantly agricultural society to confront
\nthe information age head-on.<\/p>\n
The programs offer hopes, dreams and, often, illusions.<\/p>\n
Urban teenagers while away their days dreaming of becoming an
\nMTV veejay like the cute Sarah Sechan. Poor girls living in city
\nslums hope to marry a rich man, like the from rags-to-riches
\ntales of their favorite Latin American soaps.<\/p>\n
Shows set trends in fashions and even language, as children
\nand adults parrot the catchphrases of their small-screen
\nfavorites.<\/p>\n
Professionals faithfully follow TV idols. Young women lawyers
\ntry their best to act like stick-thin Calista Flockhart's title
\ncharacter on Ally Macbeal. Doctors imitate the style of George
\nClooney in medical series ER, and Jakarta's yuppies live out
\nlocal versions of life on Melrose Place and the sitcom Friends.<\/p>\n
Most local TV talk show hosts take a leaf out of the book of
\nLarry King, Oprah Winfrey and Barbara Walters.<\/p>\n
All the changes are thanks to television reaching near and far
\ninto the homes of Indonesians from all socioeconomic brackets.<\/p>\n
University of Indonesia sociology professor Sardjono Djatiman
\nagreed that television played a significant role in social change
\nthrough its programs and advertisements aimed at the whole
\ncommunity.<\/p>\n
\"But television could also have a lot of negative impact on
\nsociety,\" lamented Sardjono.<\/p>\n
He said television served as a major source of information and
\nentertainment for people around the globe since it was first
\ninvented 90 years ago.<\/p>\n
\"People may perceive new values when watching TV programs but
\nthey should not fully blame the TV stations,\" the professor said.<\/p>\n
He added that one of the most debated aspects of television
\nwas the extent to which violence on TV influenced behavior,
\nparticularly in children and teenagers.<\/p>\n
Many blame television for an increase in crime rates and the
\nadoption of consumeristic lifestyles, he said.<\/p>\n
\"There are segments in society which are vulnerable to TV or
\nother media influences,\" he said, naming the poor and uneducated,
\nyouth and residents of rural areas as particularly susceptible to
\nthe \"intimidation\".<\/p>\n
Media<\/p>\n
The problem is that many people use TV as their only source of
\ninformation, overlooking the benefits of newspapers, magazines,
\nlectures, seminars, public forums and now the Internet.<\/p>\n
Some argue television can make a positive difference if the
\nstations are willing to change.<\/p>\n
Noted film director Garin Nugroho, who is also chairman of the
\nIndonesian Community for Public Television, said TV stations must
\nrevamp their programming if they wish to become positive social
\nagents in shaping a new and active society.<\/p>\n
\"At present, most TV programs in all stations are uniform and
\ntoo economically oriented in favoring the advertisers,\" said
\nGarin.<\/p>\n
All programs have similar formats, he said. \"Each TV (station)
\nhas no identity. The stations have yet to set their niche
\nmarket.\"<\/p>\n
RCTI president Harry Kuntoro said his station tried to respond
\nto the public's input, but acknowledged that funding and human
\nresources problems persisted.<\/p>\n
\"Despite many shortcomings, we want to review our
\nprogramming, censorship and enhance our facilities. We feel
\nresponsible in 'educating' our viewers.\"<\/p>\n
Public relations manager of Indosiar Gufroni Sakril said his
\nstation led in broadcasting local programs.<\/p>\n
Despite the criticism, TV stations have also been part of
\npositive developments.<\/p>\n
Sardjono said TV stations, particularly private ones, played a
\ngreat role in providing a political education to the public.
\n(some criticize TVRI for remaining the government's mouthpiece).<\/p>\n
\"One of the most conspicuous ways that television has affected
\nlife during the reform era has been in politics,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Informative public campaigns on the general and presidential
\nelections, as well as broadcasts of political debates were
\nunthinkable during the Soeharto era.<\/p>\n
Although television gives local politicians a huge audience,
\nit also allows people to make their minds up about the figures
\nbefore them.<\/p>\n
\"Through television, the public is now able to judge who are
\ncompetent politicians, who are the immoral ones. This is a good
\npolitical and moral lesson to create a more open and democratic
\nsociety,\" Sardjono said.<\/p>",
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