TV stations losing function as educational media<\/p>\n
YOGYAKARTA (JP): Indonesian television is losing its function
\nas an educational and informative media to consumerism dictated
\nby capitalists, a sociologist said Saturday.<\/p>\n
Loekman Soetrisno from the Gadjah Mada University said
\ncommercialization of television programs is something unavoidable
\nbecause private TV networks are controlled by capitalists.<\/p>\n
\"The capitalists' interests have defeated those of the
\nconsumers\" Loekman said in a one day seminar on TV media co-
\nsponsored by the Gadjah Mada University and The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
The seminar also featured Agung Laksono, the President
\ndirector of ANteve; J.B. Wahyudi, an official at the state-owned
\ntelevision station TVRI; Edward Depari, public relation manager
\nof RCTI; Arswendo Atmowiloto, a communication observer and
\nIshadi, an official from the Ministry of Information Ishadi.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has two state-owned TV stations, Programa 2 and
\nTVRI. It also boasts five private stations, RCTI, ANteve, SCTV,
\nIndosiar and TPI.<\/p>\n
Under Indonesian law, only private stations are allowed to air
\ncommercials. However, they are required to transfer 12.5 percent
\nof their income from advertising to state-owned networks.<\/p>\n
Loekman, one of Indonesia's most respected sociologists, said
\nthat owners want to make money rather than educate.<\/p>\n
He did concede that investors could not be blamed for the
\ncurrent situation, chiefly because their TV stations are not
\npaid for by viewers and thus rely heavily on commercials for
\ntheir income.<\/p>\n
\"Owners of television stations have to accommodate the
\ncapitalists' interests when they plan the programs they will air
\nbecause they need ads to finance the programs,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Agung Laksono said Indonesian TV networks do not have truly
\nqualified planners who have adequate socio-cultural vision.<\/p>\n
\"This is clear from the fact that only a few of the more than
\n10 hours of locally-made programs are watched by the viewers,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
From a business point of view, that is a waste of money and
\nseen from a larger economic point of view, that is also a waste
\nof foreign exchange, he added.<\/p>\n
Agung stress the need for more professional program planners
\nwho have a sense of responsibility and try to develop the
\nnation's culture through television programs.<\/p>\n
J.B. Wahyudi expressed concern over the glut of foreign
\nprograms on television.<\/p>\n
He said that Indonesian television stations should be able to
\nreduce imported content and air more local programs.<\/p>\n
This means that local television programs should be
\nprioritized, while foreign ones should be aired selectively, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"Some foreign films are really quite good, in terms of both
\nmessage and presentation, such as Little House on the Prairie,
\nHighway to Heaven, The Cosby Show and Oshin,\" he said. (har\/imn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tv-stations-losing-function-as-educational-media-1447893297",
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