DJs told to use Indonesian

DJs told to use Indonesian

JAKARTA (JP): Radio disc jockeys are having to tune it down
now that they too have been barred from using foreign languages
on their programs.

The association of private radio stations (PRSSNI) has ordered
all its members to join in the government's campaign to use "good
and correct Bahasa Indonesia", Antara reported on Tuesday.

"Using a foreign language for communication is prohibited by
the law," PRSSNI Chairman Poernomo said.

The government's campaign, launched on May 20, gave all the
more reason for radio disc jockeys not to use foreign languages
such as English, he said.

Poernomo admitted that many radio stations, especially in
Jakarta, frequently use English in their programs, "but usually
they don't use it for an entire show...Maybe it's a way to
attract foreign listeners".

PRSSNI has also ordered its members to avoid using slang
bahasa, which he said is often used not to degrade bahasa but for
the sake of easy listening.

"If they use good and correct bahasa, they will sound too
formal like RRI," he said, citing Radio Republik Indonesia, the
state-owned radio station.

He said PRSSNI has distributed circulars to members informing
them of the policies but emphasized that the organization had no
authority to mete out punishment for offenders. (pwn)