Educate the public

Educate the public

Two important developments related to television took place
last week. First, the proposal by the minister of information,
supported by the minister of education and culture, for private
television stations and theaters to dub all foreign films into
Indonesian by Aug. 16 at the latest. This, according to the
Minister of Education and Culture, would "promote the growth of
the national culture and the national identity".

Second, the agreement among six television stations to reduce
their screening of sex and violence, including in advertisements
and video clips. According to the minister of information,
programs that could have a adverse effect on the public will be
axed.

As we see it, the intent of the six television stations to
limit the screening of violence and sex is the most important. As
acts of violence occur with greater frequency, people tend to
point at the bad influence of television as the cause. Perhaps it
is true that television has such an influence, although it is
difficult to determine its extent. However, to blame television
for the trend is to simplify the matter because violence is a
social phenomenon that is interlinked with many other factors.

A law on broadcasting which, among other things, will regulate
television programs, will be introduced soon. This, however, does
not mean an end to all our problems, including the availability
of programs of sadistic or sex-oriented content. Therefore, it is
important that we nurture the public's capability to view
television programs with a critical mind. Let the public become
active in censoring their television programs. If a television
station is repeatedly bombarded with letters of disapproval and
protest from the public, its public standing and credibility will
naturally be affected.

-- Surabaya Post