'Indosiar' shows same boring stuff

'Indosiar' shows same boring stuff

From Bisnis Indonesia

The newly established Indosiar fails to accommodate the prevailing social-cultural conditions in the country. It was hoped that this television station would be able to present something refreshing that the other private stations lacked, but in reality its programs are just as boring as the others'.

The gravest mistake Indosiar made was the airing on Feb. 13, 1995 of the film Sixteen Candles, a piece that showed violence and pornography. Moreover, the film was shown during the month of Ramadhan. In this case Indosiar fails to consider the religious aspect.

The Indonesian Council of Ulemas should not only issue advice (fatwa) but should also respond to what is happening in society. Similarly, the Department of Information and Department of Religious Affairs should set standards by which to judge the materials being presented on television.

It is my hope that Indosiar can come up with better programs than the other stations by giving greater attention to moral and artistic values.

YAN BAHAR

Jakarta