Public backlash against TV levies

Public backlash against TV levies

The controversial collection of levies from TV owners is
making headlines again.

State-owned Televisi Republik Indonesia (TVRI), driven to its
wit's end by the stubborn refusal of TV owners to pay their
mandatory contributions, is now using security personnel to
escort its collectors. Presumable the levies are the network's
only funding source.

When TVRI was still the only television network in Indonesia,
the collection of levies from viewers was logical and acceptable.
But, with the emergence of private television networks, the
collection has lost its rationality for TV owners.

To be honest, with programs that are lacking in innovation,
imagination and a competitive elan, TVRI is steadily losing
viewers. And so it makes sense for people, who regard themselves
as regular patrons of private television networks, to refuse to
pay.

It is time that TVRI starts putting its own house in order.

If the ban on airing advertisements on TVRI must be
maintained, then the government must be willing to commit itself
to funding the operations. In this way the state-owned network
could become more competitive and attract more viewers.

There seems to be a conflict for the government. On the one
hand, TVRI is said to be a vital media outlet, while on the
other, the funding of its operations is being neglected.

People can no longer be forced to pay these unpopular TV
contributions. Another, more sensible, means of funding must be
found.

How about slapping additional taxes on the purchase of a
television set? This would be more professional than sending
collectors from door to door.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta