Jokowi Controversy: When Video Advertising The Success Of The Government Disrupts Cinema Spectators

Video advertisements in movie screenings in theaters are often annoying. Spectators never pay to watch advertisements. They want to watch movies that are their choice. Ads are considered annoying and time-consuming.

The same criticism was present when a video advertising for President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) regarding the construction of dams appeared in many cinemas. Jokowi's advertising video is considered visual waste. It also contains politics. The video of the advertisement is widely seen as a sport of power: a covert campaign.

Protests over the appearance of advertisements in cinema film screenings are everywhere. Ads that are forced to be screened are considered to have interfered with consumer rights. It is the audience's right to come and pay to watch movies that are liked, not advertisements.

This condition also occurred in Indonesia in September 2018. Ads do not come from well-known brand products. Ads actually come from the Jokowi government camp. Cinemas throughout Indonesia show advertisements for the success of the construction of a number of dams in the country.

The ad has the titles of Season, 65 Dams. The ad features the voice of President Jokowi himself. Of course, it is complete with the government's typical rigid slogan #MENUJUINDONESIAJU. The 4:30 minute video only shows the success of the government.

Visually, the construction of the dam is trying to be presented. Jokowi likes to present a message regarding the guarantee of abundant food production. In the past, Indonesia's food production was only harvested once. However, now the harvest can be done more than once.

This section confirms that food production guarantees require abundant water availability. As a result, dam construction is important.

People's responses to watching advertising videos were mostly negative. Instead of getting a lively welcome, Jokowi's political propaganda video has resulted in criticism. However, the government dodged. They emphasized that the video that appeared in theaters was the mandate of the Law.

"That is the task of Kominfo. That is the mandate of the law, that either the construction that has been completed, or projects that have been completed, or are still in the process or have not been completed, it is indeed informed so that the public can follow what the government has done, what has not been done, what will. This is indeed the task of the Minister of Communication and Information," said President Jokowi as quoted on the website.go.id, September 14, 2018.

The government's move to install advertisements in cinemas has become a polemic. Criticism and blasphemy are everywhere. Cinema audiences feel disturbed by Jokowi's propaganda video. They view politically-charged advertisements as unfit to appear in theaters because people have the intention to go to the cinema for entertainment.

Jokowi's video is also considered too forcing the visual trash can. The audience believes the advertisement while forcing those present to watch. Political propaganda is seen as unfit to appear in theaters. Some others think that the Jokowi government should be creative in looking for other media.

Other comments also emerged from the opposition camp. Prabowo Subianto's camp considers Jokowi's advertisements a prime political attraction. This condition is because the videos that appear coincide with the political year. Alias, one year before the 2019 presidential election, was held.

Jokowi is seen as stealing the start of the presidential election campaign. This section is considered proof that Jokowi used his power to smooth the steps to a period of two powers. Many asked for Jokowi's advertising to be removed. This wish was also revealed by the senior Gerindra party politician, Fadli Zon.

Fadli Zon who is loyal to be the opposition with Prabowo also views that the Jokowi regime has wasted. Jokowi uses the government budget for campaigns. Not for things that have high urgency.

Fadli also doubts Jokowi's achievements. The achievements revealed were not in accordance with reality. This condition is because Jokowi always needs votes to win in the 2019 presidential election. Therefore, all kinds of successful strategies - are carried out to beg for votes.

"It's not in the right place, when people want to come to the cinema, imagine if there are other agencies doing the same thing, how long do people wait even though they need entertainment. This ad will definitely pay, it can't be free, right, it's a waste to pay for advertisements to the cinema, also watch fewer people."

"It's better if the budget is diverted to others, for victims of the Lombok earthquake or others that are more useful. Those achievements must be verified, true or not, maybe hoaxes are right. From a point of view, there are also a number of problems or claims of achievements, but it turns out that they don't match what has become true," said Fadli as quoted by Pandompas.com, September 14, 2018.