Small screen a big influence in RI

Since the state-run TVRI network made its debut broadcast on Aug. 24, 1962, television has exerted a huge impact on society. The advent of private stations has provided more variety for viewers, although some argue the quality is still lacking. As several stations celebrate their anniversaries, The Jakarta Post's Rita A. Widiadana examines the country's TV times.

JAKARTA (JP): It's Sunday morning, better known in many households as time for uninterrupted cartoons.

From 6 a.m. to 11 a.m., children across the country are parked in front of their TV sets.

Skipping their breakfast and morning bath, they cling to their remote controls, surfing between channels to take in all their favorite cartoons.

There is so much to choose from -- Doraemon on RCTI, Ninja Hatori and Klub Disney on Indosiar, Popeye and Son and Looney Tooney on TPI, plus Superman III and Batman Animated on SCTV.

Many weary parents complain their offspring cannot be budged when their favorite programs are on television. Forget about getting some exercise, going to Sunday school or visiting friends and family.

"I feel so concerned that my children may be addicted to television," said Darwinsyah, a father of three sons.

Nuraini, a housewife and mother of four, is also worried that a constant diet of TV may have a negative impact on her children's physical, emotional and intellectual development.

She has a point. A 30-year study done by the American Medical Association found "long-lasting" effects from children's exposure to violence in the media.

Viewing violence in shows on TV, as well as video and computer games, can lead to increased aggressive attitudes, values and behavior, particularly in children, the study said.

Although millions of parents like Darwinsyah and Nuraini worry about their children watching the tube, they themselves may be setting a bad example.

Darwinsyah makes sure to watch English and Italian soccer league matches whenever he can. Nuraini takes time out from her busy schedule to fit in local and foreign soap operas.

Television has undoubtedly affected the lives of Indonesians since its debut 38 years ago.

Economic development and the affordability of TV sets has brought television into far-flung corners of the country. For more than 25 years, there was only TVRI, but a new era dawned when RCTI began broadcasting in 1990.

Although the licenses for private stations were once only divvied out to members of the then first family or their friends, more stations are expected to set up business in the near future.

American style

Television is a dominant force in the lives of both the young and adults. Next to working and sleeping, urbanites and villagers spend the largest part of their time watching television.

American style fare -- reality TV, soap operas, game shows, talk shows, TV movies, feature films, sports and news programs -- are forcing the predominantly agricultural society to confront the information age head-on.

The programs offer hopes, dreams and, often, illusions.

Urban teenagers while away their days dreaming of becoming an MTV veejay like the cute Sarah Sechan. Poor girls living in city slums hope to marry a rich man, like the from rags-to-riches tales of their favorite Latin American soaps.

Shows set trends in fashions and even language, as children and adults parrot the catchphrases of their small-screen favorites.

Professionals faithfully follow TV idols. Young women lawyers try their best to act like stick-thin Calista Flockhart's title character on Ally Macbeal. Doctors imitate the style of George Clooney in medical series ER, and Jakarta's yuppies live out local versions of life on Melrose Place and the sitcom Friends.

Most local TV talk show hosts take a leaf out of the book of Larry King, Oprah Winfrey and Barbara Walters.

All the changes are thanks to television reaching near and far into the homes of Indonesians from all socioeconomic brackets.

University of Indonesia sociology professor Sardjono Djatiman agreed that television played a significant role in social change through its programs and advertisements aimed at the whole community.

"But television could also have a lot of negative impact on society," lamented Sardjono.

He said television served as a major source of information and entertainment for people around the globe since it was first invented 90 years ago.

"People may perceive new values when watching TV programs but they should not fully blame the TV stations," the professor said.

He added that one of the most debated aspects of television was the extent to which violence on TV influenced behavior, particularly in children and teenagers.

Many blame television for an increase in crime rates and the adoption of consumeristic lifestyles, he said.

"There are segments in society which are vulnerable to TV or other media influences," he said, naming the poor and uneducated, youth and residents of rural areas as particularly susceptible to the "intimidation".

Media

The problem is that many people use TV as their only source of information, overlooking the benefits of newspapers, magazines, lectures, seminars, public forums and now the Internet.

Some argue television can make a positive difference if the stations are willing to change.

Noted film director Garin Nugroho, who is also chairman of the Indonesian Community for Public Television, said TV stations must revamp their programming if they wish to become positive social agents in shaping a new and active society.

"At present, most TV programs in all stations are uniform and too economically oriented in favoring the advertisers," said Garin.

All programs have similar formats, he said. "Each TV (station) has no identity. The stations have yet to set their niche market."

RCTI president Harry Kuntoro said his station tried to respond to the public's input, but acknowledged that funding and human resources problems persisted.

"Despite many shortcomings, we want to review our programming, censorship and enhance our facilities. We feel responsible in 'educating' our viewers."

Public relations manager of Indosiar Gufroni Sakril said his station led in broadcasting local programs.

Despite the criticism, TV stations have also been part of positive developments.

Sardjono said TV stations, particularly private ones, played a great role in providing a political education to the public. (some criticize TVRI for remaining the government's mouthpiece).

"One of the most conspicuous ways that television has affected life during the reform era has been in politics," he said.

Informative public campaigns on the general and presidential elections, as well as broadcasts of political debates were unthinkable during the Soeharto era.

Although television gives local politicians a huge audience, it also allows people to make their minds up about the figures before them.

"Through television, the public is now able to judge who are competent politicians, who are the immoral ones. This is a good political and moral lesson to create a more open and democratic society," Sardjono said.