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