TV stations losing function as educational media
TV stations losing function as educational media
YOGYAKARTA (JP): Indonesian television is losing its function
as an educational and informative media to consumerism dictated
by capitalists, a sociologist said Saturday.
Loekman Soetrisno from the Gadjah Mada University said
commercialization of television programs is something unavoidable
because private TV networks are controlled by capitalists.
"The capitalists' interests have defeated those of the
consumers" Loekman said in a one day seminar on TV media co-
sponsored by the Gadjah Mada University and The Jakarta Post.
The seminar also featured Agung Laksono, the President
director of ANteve; J.B. Wahyudi, an official at the state-owned
television station TVRI; Edward Depari, public relation manager
of RCTI; Arswendo Atmowiloto, a communication observer and
Ishadi, an official from the Ministry of Information Ishadi.
Indonesia has two state-owned TV stations, Programa 2 and
TVRI. It also boasts five private stations, RCTI, ANteve, SCTV,
Indosiar and TPI.
Under Indonesian law, only private stations are allowed to air
commercials. However, they are required to transfer 12.5 percent
of their income from advertising to state-owned networks.
Loekman, one of Indonesia's most respected sociologists, said
that owners want to make money rather than educate.
He did concede that investors could not be blamed for the
current situation, chiefly because their TV stations are not
paid for by viewers and thus rely heavily on commercials for
their income.
"Owners of television stations have to accommodate the
capitalists' interests when they plan the programs they will air
because they need ads to finance the programs," he said.
Agung Laksono said Indonesian TV networks do not have truly
qualified planners who have adequate socio-cultural vision.
"This is clear from the fact that only a few of the more than
10 hours of locally-made programs are watched by the viewers," he
said.
From a business point of view, that is a waste of money and
seen from a larger economic point of view, that is also a waste
of foreign exchange, he added.
Agung stress the need for more professional program planners
who have a sense of responsibility and try to develop the
nation's culture through television programs.
J.B. Wahyudi expressed concern over the glut of foreign
programs on television.
He said that Indonesian television stations should be able to
reduce imported content and air more local programs.
This means that local television programs should be
prioritized, while foreign ones should be aired selectively, he
said.
"Some foreign films are really quite good, in terms of both
message and presentation, such as Little House on the Prairie,
Highway to Heaven, The Cosby Show and Oshin," he said. (har/imn)