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)