'TV commercials demoralizes youth'

'TV commercials demoralizes youth'

SURABAYA, East Java: Local ulemas are calling on the Film
Censorship Agency (LSF) to tighten its supervision of both
television and film commercials.

Chairman of the local branch of the Indonesian Ulemas Council
(MUI) K.H. Misbach said commercials, both locally made or
imported, are threatening the national culture.

"Some of the foreign-made commercials imply that locally made
products are second rate," Misbach was quoted by Antara as
saying.

Misbach said he was not against foreign commercials, but that
he was concerned about elements in the commercials that might
demoralize Indonesian youngsters.

"Those elements need to be censored more closely," Misbach
said.

Misbach also called on owners of private television stations
to select more appropriate programs and commercials to be
broadcast. (swe)