TV stations get your act together

I read in the entertainment section of The Jakarta Post on Sunday, Aug. 13, that TV stations take into account letters from the public. This seems only half-hearted to me. There appears to be no response to comments made about their daily TV guides published in local papers. It is a waste of time reading a TV guide that gives empty promises to the public. On many occasions a program is switched with a live show or something else. This certainly makes for frustrating viewing and in the end it is far easier to hire a movie and watch in comfort.

Another comment unheeded by the stations concerns the type of movies. Isn't it important to the TV stations to take into consideration that not all viewers have the same taste in movies? It is a mixed community of people living in Indonesia. In newspaper listings, can't they establish that the movie is Indian, American or British?

Also why can't TV stations show a little more professionalism in promoting their daily airings? If the program is news, give it its title. If it says its a miniseries, state its name. If it is documentary, the same. After all, people watch TV for relaxation and information.

Another matter of great concern, which seems to be avoided, more than likely due to the fact that it helps ratings, is the airing of graphic and bloody scenes -- a man disfigured by a bomb and decomposed bodies for example. These heart-wrenching and blood thirsty incidents are not aired in other countries. In Australia, for example, people aren't bombarded with visual and graphic shots as they are here. I am led to believe this is exploitative and encourages life's 'negatives'. We could be given this kind of news verbally, and the visuals could be handed to us with a little more compassion to the public. Seeing crime and devastation only encourages further violence. We should be informed, but exposing the tragedies doesn't have to so bold and coarse.

C. PARRY

Jakarta