The function of Indonesian TV

The function of Indonesian TV

From Koran Tempo

Three TV stations recently commemorated their anniversaries: TVRI, RCTI and SCTV. But all the stations in Indonesia seem to use entertainment as their major weapon to win lots of commercials, the only source of income for the small-screen companies.

Even TPI, which used to focus on education, has now become a commercial station, with the argument that it is not necessary for education to be conveyed literally, like teachers giving lessons to their students. So, education can be manifest in dangdut music, TV dramas, criminal accounts, quiz programs etc.

Such broadcasts are in reality meant to secure large numbers of viewers in the form of high ratings in major cities, which constitute consumer markets with good purchasing power for the promotion of industrial products. No rating agencies quantify the numbers of TV viewers in rural areas, because TV's function to enhance public intelligence has been overwhelmed by its entertainment function.

One should not be surprised if our society is already "entertained" when watching programs depicting legal injustice, cruelty and violence, while corruptors remain at large. Impoverished people are also "entertained" to enjoy the dreams offered by dramas and variety shows, with all the glamor of the capital city, as well as soothing dangdut music during most prime time hours, as a new "opiate" for the masses.

ARIEF K. Jakarta