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)