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