'Perspektif Baru' is off the air

'Perspektif Baru' is off the air

JAKARTA (JP): A well-known talk show host whose popular TV program was banned last year is facing a new hurdle with his radio talk show going off the air beginning this week.

"We were notified by M 97 radio last week that the program is off the air," the producer of the talk show, Hani Hasyim, told The Jakarta Post.

The two-month old Perspektif Baru program featured talk show host Wimar Witoelar. It was broadcast twice a week by the Jakarta-based radio station and six other stations in cities outside Jakarta.

The M 97 radio station did not specify its exact reasons for dropping the program. Nova Cahya, the radio production manager only said that the station is re-evaluating its overall programing format and assessing the audience's response to the program, Berita Yudha daily reported.

Hani said their contract with the radio station covered only eight episodes which ended last week.

"We are not sure whether or not the radio station wanted to terminate the contract," Hani said.

Wimar, whose popular TV show Perspektif was banned last September, resorted to touring the country, swapping his television stage for hotel halls with a limited audience in a production called Perspektif Live.

His television talk show, which touched on politically sensitive issues, was believed to have been banned because the government considered it controversial.

Wimar, who is traveling abroad, was not available for comment yesterday. (14)