No decision yet on party-line ads

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Association of Advertising Agencies has yet to accept the appeal from the state-owned communications company Indosat to block a foreign telephone service's advertisements promoting a "party-line".

The Association's Secretary General, Syarifuddin Noor, said yesterday that the Association has yet to study the appeal.

The commercial offers an opportunity to learn English conversation with seven other callers.

On July 26, Indosat issued a press release appealing for a ban on the commercial. Spokesman J.B. Basuki said the international telephone service from an unidentified Sweden-based operator was unproductive.

As it could lead to pornography, it may disadvantage the younger generation, he said.

The party-line has been advertised in several print and electronic media. (anr)