What they say about TV programs

What they say about TV programs

By Christiani S. Tumelap

JAKARTA (JP): A variety of programs are screened by the seven
local television stations. Some are cherished, while others are
cursed. Five people from different walks of life shared their
views on television programs with The Jakarta Post.

Eddy Noor, head of public relations at the Ministry of
Information, said that although imported programs dominated the
private-run television stations, they had given viewers a greater
variety of entertainment.

"But many of the programs are being run at the wrong time, not
to mention the irksome dubbing of some non-English language
movies into Indonesian," Eddy said.

He put news programs, such as TVRI's 9 p.m. Dunia Dalam Berita
(World News) and RCTI's 7 p.m. Seputar Indonesia (Around
Indonesia), as the daily must-see programs.

To lighten up his life, he enjoys entertainment programs. "I
like some of the quizzes on TVRI, RCTI's Tak Tik Boom and
ANteve's Famili 100," Eddy said.

He said the number of quiz programs could be increased.
"Especially those created locally. But, please don't base them
too much on prizes. One quiz show even displays a luxurious car
in front of participants. I think that's really unnecessary," he
said. "And information should be clearly provided on where and
how to join the quiz," he added.

Eddy denounced the mushrooming of party line advertisements on
private-run television.

"I don't think it's a good thing. Please, don't be too money
oriented, but try to give greater consideration to our kids'
future," he pledged.

For a man like Amin Hamid, 50, who sells nasi uduk (rice
steamed with coconut milk) during the day in the Cipulir market
vicinity in South Jakarta and at night prepares meals to be sold
the next day, enjoying television programs is a luxury.

"We only have a small black and white television in our
house," he said when asked to comment on his favorite television
program.

Amin said he could not spend much time in front of the
television because he preferred to spend his precious spare hours
sleeping.

"But, when I have time, I try not to miss TVRI's Dunia Dalam
Berita news program in between my routine job preparing the sate
which will be served with the rice," Amin said.

"My wife, six children, and two grandsons watch television
more than I do. My wife loves Indian movies," he said.

"They also like to watch that program which has people
guessing the answers to easy questions. I forget the name," Amin
said.

He said one of his sons once tried to call the station to
answer a question. "He called on a public phone near Cipulir
market but couldn't get through."

The lack of spare time to enjoy television programs is also a
problem for actress Ayu Azhari, who watches television in between
her busy movie making schedule and spare time at home.

Ayu said she enjoyed news programs. "I like RCTI's Seputar
Indonesia and Nuansa Pagi."

"I don't know why. Maybe because I have enjoyed watching this
station for many years," she said.

She was concerned that programs such as local movies and
quizzes were not educating viewers.

"A lot of stations broadcast programs quite similar to those
screened by other stations. That's understandable, but I wish
they would give more emphasis on worthwhile aspects such as
values and culture," Ayu said.

"Whatever the program is, it should be able to nourish
viewers' minds and give them courage to face real life. Don't
just feed them movies which depict a glamorous life and dreams,"
she said.

Danny, a teacher at the University of Indonesia, was concerned
about the excessive violence and advertisements on television.

"Violence almost always dominates both local and imported
movies. Even the increasingly popular Indian melodrama and
Mandarin action movies are bloodthirsty," she said.

"And you know what annoys me the most? It's when TV stations
feed me with a series of advertisements from the beginning of a
prime time movie to the end," said Danny, 27, who teaches
political sciences at the university's School of Social and
Political Sciences.

"I know the stations are chasing big money from
advertisements. Even in America advertisements are only allowed
to run after the main program for at least 15 minutes," she said.

Danny, who claimed to be a television addict in her college
years, said her favorite program was SCTV's Derap Hukum (Legal
Beat) weekly news program.

"And the worst is the Famili 100 quiz program on ANteve. It's
not educating whatsoever. And the results of the so-called
research could not have been derived from a valid survey," Danny
said. "The real facts are being neglected because the survey's
respondents gave wrong answers," she said.

Usman, a journalist at Republika daily, said he has a favorite
program on almost each of the seven television stations. "I'll
turn on RCTI for good movies, ANteve and SCTV for news," he said.

Speaking of the increasingly popular quiz programs, Usman said
that ANteve's Family 100 was the best.

"I know that the material, just like many other quiz programs'
except for RCTI's Tak Tik Boom, is far from educating. But, at
least it's more fun than the others," Usman said.

He said it was difficult to find a program which could educate
and entertain viewers at the same time.

"The problem is that people here become addicted to glamorous
entertainment programs because they are more fun than boring
educational programs," he said.