A television program watchdog?

A television program watchdog?

The idea to establish a formal organization to protect the
public against programs that are "incompatible with the nation's
identity" is being tossed about again. This time, the idea was
proposed by House of Representatives member Suko Waluyo and a
number of other speakers at a seminar on "Television and the
National Identity".

The body would actually be nothing more than a logical
consequence of an old and widespread complaint: more and more
television programs are unsound, incompatible with the nation's
culture and morality, and so forth.

It is an exaggeration to believe that television is the main
factor that shapes modern human culture, especially among
children. However, is also incorrect to belittle the influence of
television on children.

As we have seen on many occasions, government agencies have
tended to stress their supervision of the political aspects of
television and the press. Where cultural considerations are
concerned -- aside from the fact that very few rules exist and
are usually not very specific -- those agencies usually restrict
their actions to appeals.

Therefore a supervising body would indeed fill a void. It
could act as a watchdog and an advisory organization. It could
list viewers' complaints and systematically and consistently
submit them to television stations. It could, of course, also
take the initiative.

If this was done properly, the television stations might also
benefit.

-- Republika, Jakarta