MBG TV Now Launched, Netizens Voice Criticism Over Budget Spending

Social media users have been stirred by the launch of MBG TV, a television channel focused on disseminating information about nutrition and healthy eating habits.

According to the Instagram account @catatanfilm on Wednesday, 25 February 2026, the channel was initiated by Forum Jupnas Gizi Indonesia as a media platform for promoting the Makan Bergizi Gratis (Free Nutritious Meal) programme. The network has partnered with 15 terrestrial television stations and reaches 13 provinces including DKI Jakarta (Jabodetabek), Banten, West Java, Central Java, East Java, North Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, Lampung, South Sumatra (Palembang), West Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, and Maluku.

The television channel also reaches 98 regencies and municipalities, and is available through live streaming on JupnasGizi.com.

According to the official Forum Jupnas Gizi website, MBG TV is dedicated as an educational broadcasting medium concerning the free nutritious meal programme, enhancing public nutrition awareness, and disseminating government policy on food and nutrition security.

Lodewyk Pusung, Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency, explained that the existence of this television channel has significant strategic value in supporting national development, particularly in creating a healthy, intelligent, and productive Indonesian generation.

“Broadcasting media like MBG TV plays an important role in delivering accurate education, raising public awareness, and building community trust in the Free Nutritious Meal Programme,” he said.

The channel launch has attracted considerable public criticism on social media. Many social media users have expressed varied comments, though these have been predominantly critical in nature, with some viewing the channel as wasteful government spending.

“Is this wasting the state budget or money laundering? You could pay private television stations to make programmes like this instead,” one netizen remarked on the Instagram account @catatanfilm.

“Actually, just a YouTube channel and social media would be more effective than television,” another netizen commented.

“Gentlemen, there’s YouTube which doesn’t require additional budget,” one commenter criticised.

“They want to create real propaganda. Unfortunately, we don’t trust the government anymore—in this era it seems like One Piece should be made a reality,” another netizen commented.