'BaliTV' to voice local culture and tradition
'BaliTV' to voice local culture and tradition
Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar
The first television station in the tourist island of Bali, BaliTV has launched its initial programs voicing the aspiration of the Balinese people to preserve their own culture and tradition.
Bali governor Dewa Beratha said during the launching ceremony on May 26 expressed his concern over the flood of external values which affect the lives of the Balinese, especially the youth. "Bali has become one of the world's tourist destination. That's why we have to be more alert in protecting our own culture and tradition," the governor said.
The opening of Bali TV, owned by the family of K.Nadha who is also running Bali Post media group, has added to the numbers of private televisions in Indonesia. The country's first TV station was government-owned TVRI which operated since l962.
Under the government's regulation, private television stations were not allowed to operate until the Bimantara Business group established RCTI in l989. Since then, several private televisions include SCTV, Anteve, Indosiar, TPI, Lativi and several others.
Satria Naradha, director of Bali TV, said that for the time being, Bali TV targets the island's 3 million population.
"Our mission is mainly aimed at preserving and promoting the Balinese culture especially to the youth," Satria said. Most of programs in local TV focus on Western-entertainment styles. Local TV drama Sinetrons are considered less educative and unfortunately dominate the present programs.
"We want to offer different kinds of entertainment and education programs," said Satria.
The Bali TV is currently undergoing a number of test-trials until the middle of June to ensure that its programs are transmitted properly.
Satria added that in the era of regional autonomy, each province should have at least one private television station to accommodate local aspirations.
"We have several Bali programs in TVRI Bali station, but the station belongs to the government. Bali TV will be different. We will emphasize more on the real need of our own community," he added.
In the past, all television stations must obtained special permits from the now-defunct Ministry of Information. "The age of press control is over now. It is time for the public to speak for themselves and it is the rights of the public to get balance news coverage and worth entertainment programs," he said.
The launching ceremony was attended by numerous government officials, business communities, academicians and local artists.
A number of regional television stations are now operating in Surabaya, East Java, Lombok island in West Nusa Tenggara province.