TV features and youngsters<\/p>\n
From Suara Karya<\/p>\n
My children and I are pleased that Suara Karya is running
\narticles on subjects such as agriculture, tourism and art. The
\npaper's article about TV on page 7, Aug. 23, was very good and
\nquite objective.<\/p>\n
My child for instance, a junior high student, does not like to
\nwatch Baywatch, but has observed that the series has an
\neducational message, like rescuing people in mortal danger.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, another child, still in primary school
\ngrade five, likes clean beach scenes and cavorting scenes along
\nthe coast. Why is there so much objection against foreign films
\non TV? Is not sex being commercialized with promotions of all
\nsorts of traditional potions, on sidewalks, in drugstores, and
\nthe mass media?<\/p>\n
At arisan (monthly housewives gatherings), ladies always
\njoke in an oblique way about sex. The same goes for men in the
\nworkplace.<\/p>\n
TV is just a dead thing. I switch the TV off when there is
\nnothing worth watching, or if a program is too sadistic for
\nchildren. My family likes to chat then.<\/p>\n
The story of a student who unveiled a corrupt school principal
\nwho imposed his intentions on pupils, the story of a policeman in
\nNew York who helped a group of ducks cross a busy road, or the
\nstory of a foreigner willing to take care of orangutans in
\nKalimantan, these features on private TV stations are
\ninoffensive, patriotic, informative and of high human interest.
\nWatching such programs preferable to watching for hours on end
\nofficials dozing in their seats, or listening to orders to kill
\nthat are, alas, not issued for vehicle smugglers, corrupt
\nofficials, or land appropriators.<\/p>\n
A lot of affluence is displayed in front of office buildings,
\nmalls and supermarkets. There is also obvious displays of power
\non the road every day, which I think should stop. Many female
\ndrivers in Jakarta, for instance, are cruel and selfish toward
\npedestrians crossing streets, even though their cars are covered
\nwith religious stickers and the drivers reflect education and
\nrespectability.<\/p>\n
In Australia, a driver clad in faded shorts, would step on his
\nbrakes immediately to let someone cross the road.<\/p>\n
In Italy, for example, people frolic around in bikinis and are
\nfree to watch anything they like. On the other hand, how many
\nunfortunate maids have been sexually abused in other countries,
\nbut the cases were not reported? One's personality cannot be
\nfortified only by a strict dress code. There are still many
\npeople in this country who have a different opinion about how
\npeople should dress.<\/p>\n
Also, we have yet to receive a report about an Indonesian
\nservant allegedly raped in Australia.<\/p>\n
Despite all the proud monuments, the towering buildings and
\ngiant projects, we still live in daily confusion, neglecting our
\nflora and fauna, breathing in the city's air pollution. All adds
\nto our daily frustration. These are the negative aspects we
\nshould address, for the sake of our children's future and
\nsecurity, instead of focusing attention on TV programs for hours
\non end.<\/p>\n
TUTY M. THOMAS<\/p>\n
Bekasi, West Java<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tv-features-and-youngsters-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }