What bad effect? TV has done a lot

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesians are talking (again!) about the bad effect of television on our lives, especially on children's lives. Television programs are accused of being the source of bad information that leads to crime. They are also said to discourage children's interest in reading and studying. The main concern of the social observers is the fact that people spend too much time in front of their televisions. Housewives leave their kitchens to watch telenovelas and children are reluctant to do their homework because there are so many programs on TV.

Everybody feels the urge to talk about this phenomena.

When these people are in this kind of commotion, watch out. As always, seminars, discussions, sarasehan and the like, are everywhere. Conference rooms, either in cities or in mountain resorts are fully booked. Hotel occupancy soars and the activities of favorite speakers are in full swing.

While they are at it, I am tempted to participate. But, instead of sitting in a seminar, I decided to go down to where the television programs are said to cause the worst effects: the poor. I choose one subject that is spoken most, the children's lack of interest in reading which is due to the impact of TV programs. Just like a local researcher, I asked pointed questions. And, did I get answers!

A sarcastic one came from an uptight mother. "What bad effects? Television has done a lot to the cleanliness of our environment. Every time a TV crew comes to cover their activities, people here suddenly become devoted social workers. They clean ditches, cut fences or wash the bus shelters."

A bus driver added, "The traffic attendants become friendlier when television crews are around."

That answer sure didn't satisfy me. I wanted evidence of what the experts are bitching about. I then interviewed a father of six children. "Television helps people in birth control," he commented. "Instead of going to bed early and do "that thing" we stay outside our bedrooms until late and go to bed only when we need some real sleep. Had it not been for television, I could have had thirteen children."

Again, this is not what I was looking for. These people seem to take the impact of TV for granted. As far as they are concerned, television has made their life more enjoyable. "Our children know more things than we did when we were their age," is their general opinion.

Thinking that they were avoid talking about their children's interest in reading, I tried to be more specific. "But television has made children reluctant to read. They're nailed to the TV screen all the time. They do not read which is good for the development of their imagination. Don't you think you need to encourage them to read?"

One lady, a mother of three teenagers, stood akimbo and commented hotly. "So, that's what you're on about! Now, tell me where the said books are. You may not know, or pretend not to know, how difficult it is to find a good book for children. Even if there are, the prices are sky high. We can't afford them." After a pause, she continued with a lower tone. "If you want to encourage children to read, then make the books available at a reasonable cost. Don't just talk."

Now it was my turn to be speechless. With the uncertainty in the price of paper and its availability, I cannot promise anything to the lady. Can you?

-- Carl Chairul