Traders benefit from erotic publications<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Amid questioning of popular model Sophia Latjuba
\nfor her controversial seminude pose in a magazine, newspaper
\nagents and street vendors are the winners as new risque and X-
\nrated publications hit the streets.<\/p>\n
Speaking to The Jakarta Post on Sunday, many newspaper vendors
\nsaid they were able to make a profit of between Rp 200 (three U.S
\ncents) and Rp 2,000 for each tabloid and magazine running sensual
\npictures and stories.<\/p>\n
Mamad, a newspaper vendor on Jl. Samanhudi, Central Jakarta
\nsaid: \"(It's) not bad. I don't need any capital, since I take the
\ncopies from a nearby agent and return them if they don't sell
\nout.\"<\/p>\n
Mamad said he could send money regularly to his wife and five
\nchildren in Garut, West Java, as a result of selling hot
\npublications, which often sold out shortly after they were
\nissued.<\/p>\n
\"It's probably because the tabloids are also cheaper than the
\nmagazines,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Trisno, a newspaper vendor on Jl. Gunung Sahari, Central
\nJakarta, echoed Mamad's views.<\/p>\n
\"In the past, maybe the buyers were afraid or ashamed to buy
\nthe tabloids. But now many motorists buy them. Maybe it's because
\nof reformasi,\" the father of five said.<\/p>\n
Many other newspaper sellers, such as Ucok who sells
\nnewspapers and magazines in front of Gajah Mada Plaza in West
\nJakarta, and Jupri at the Senen bus terminal, Central Jakarta,
\nshared the same delight with the surge in demand for such
\npublications.<\/p>\n
But Trisno said he was still afraid of selling XXX-rated
\npublications.<\/p>\n
\"I'm afraid of being arrested by the police. But selling the
\ntabloids, I think that's okay,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Despite Trisno's reluctance to sell the hard-core
\npublications, it is easy to buy XXX-rated magazines on the
\nstreets from the newspaper boys, who often hide the illegal
\nmaterial among the other publications.<\/p>\n
Since the forced resignation of President Soeharto on May 21
\nlast year, his successor President B.J. Habibie has relaxed media
\nrules, a move highly praised by the local and international press
\ncommunities.<\/p>\n
As a result, some new tabloids and magazines focus their
\nbusiness on sex and run erotic pictures to lure readers.<\/p>\n
Some of the new hot tabloids include Power, Pop, Map, Skandal
\nand Protest. They are priced at between Rp 1,000 and Rp 2,000,
\nslightly lower than the regular publications.<\/p>\n
The new tabloids and magazines have added to the number of
\nmagazines and tabloids in existence before Soeharto's
\nresignation.<\/p>\n
A copy of Popular magazine's special edition, which featured
\nmodel Sophia was sold for Rp 20,000. Some 200,000 copies of the
\nmagazines were reportedly sold out.<\/p>\n
Trisno said many people were keen to buy the magazine,
\nespecially after Sophia was questioned on Friday as a witness in
\na police investigation of the growing number of sex publications
\nhere.<\/p>\n
\"Many want to buy (the special edition) for Rp 50,000 a copy.
\nBut I could not provide it anymore.\"<\/p>\n
The traders have said they would not object if the government
\nmoves to ban such publications.<\/p>\n
\"We're small people. It's up to the government,\" Trisno said.
\n(jun)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/traders-benefit-from-erotic-publications-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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