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