'I'd like to see'TVRI' well managed'

A number of lawmakers, media observers and consumer activists have warned state television station TVRI not to press ahead with its plan to reinstate monthly license fees for TV owners as this could give rise to public protests as happened in the past. The TV station, which owes more than Rp 200 billion to the government, needs fresh funds to stave off bankruptcy. The Jakarta Post talked to some Jakarta people what they thought of the TVRI plan.

Ecoy, 21, is a telephone kiosk attendant in Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta. He lives with his family near the kiosk:

So TVRI wants to tax us for watching TV now?

Well, what I don't understand is why I should have to pay as I never even watch TVRI because their programs are so boring. I mean, how many people actually watch TVRI these days?

And how come the state RRI radio station doesn't seem to need to tax radios? RRI's news broadcasts, at least, still attract many listeners as they still think of them as useful and interesting.

TVRI should just ask for more funding from the state, seek sponsors, or air more commercials to finance itself.

Nugie, 26, is a credit analyst at a credit firm on Jl. Gatot Subroto, South Jakarta. He lives with his mother and sister in Pondok Indah, South Jakarta:

It's a real pity, actually, that TVRI has to resort to all these different kinds of fund raising schemes to finance its operations.

From what I know, TVRI in the past had to start collecting license fees for TV sets from the public and request a share of the advertising revenues from private TV stations as the state could not afford to fully bankroll it.

The schemes failed, however, and I doubt that the new one -- tying the TV license fee to one's electricity bill -- will work either. Although many wouldn't mind paying the license fee and just accept it, many others will question its necessity.

I think TVRI should seek sponsors instead, but that will be difficult if it doesn't improve its programs. No sponsor will be interested if their money is just wasted or corrupted by the station's executives.

But, I would really like to see TVRI become a professionally managed public service TV station some day, like Britain's BBC or Japan's NHK.

--The Jakarta Post