Stop showing supernatural

Stop showing supernatural
mystery shows on TV

This editorial refers to the news report that appeared on the
front page of this newspaper last Wednesday -- the call by the
Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) for television stations to
stop showing supernatural mystery shows that tended to be
ambivalent about the divine.

After watching these mystery shows, the MUI concluded that
they not only failed to educate viewers, but they also tended to
confuse people about God.

While it is true that the teaching of religion is the task of
teachers, preachers and parents, TV stations cannot deny that
they have the same responsibility.

So, we would once again call on television stations to pay
attention to the MUI's call. Stop airing these supernatural
mystery shows. Do not forget that it is the mass media's function
to teach the public and not just to work toward better ratings
and more advertisements.
-- Republika, Jakarta