No decision yet on party-line ads

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)