'All TV stations air the same gossip shows'

A comedian recently discharged a firearm into the air to avoid answering a probing question from reporters about his private life. Although he is now in detention for firing it, the incident has sparked a debate on the conduct of gossip columnists, who often corner famous people. Some observers said the stiff competition among infotainment programs had led to the situation. In observance of the unofficial TV Day on Aug. 24, the anniversary of state TVRI and several private TV stations, The Jakarta Post asked residents what they want to see most on TV.

Yona Okto, 26, is a public relations officer with a non- governmental organization (NGO) in Tanjung Duren, West Jakarta. She lives with her family in Tangerang:

The television stations and programs are better than in the past. But I think they now focus too much on entertainment.

There should be more than just entertainment on TV, like education. I sometimes see on the Internet that some people get awards abroad, but when they come back to Indonesia, they don't get featured in TV.

Another thing is that all channels seem to air the same things. When I watch TV in the morning, before going to work, there will be infotainment. It's the same in the evening after office hours.

I try to change channels, but the infotainment shows seem to have the same material all over. It would be more bearable if they had different news.

Benjamin, 32, is a sidewalk drinks vendor in Pancoran, South Jakarta. He recently came to Jakarta from Flores, and now lives nearby with his relatives:

Although I've been noticing there are more and more of infotainment and mystical shows nowadays, I don't really care about them because I never watch.

I rarely watch television for the news, either, except if its an extraordinarily big news, just so I can keep up with other people on what's happening nowadays.

I do, however, watch television for my favorite shows: dangdut music shows.

I think television has an advantage over radio, because now we can actually see the singers, and not just listen to them.

But I don't really know what or how television should be like, apart from that it should be entertaining for its viewers.

--The Jakarta Post