KPI Highlights Aurel-Atta Halilintar TV Broadcast: Is There Any Educational Side?

Aurel Hermansyah and Atta Halilintar (Instagram aurelie.hermansyah)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) has responded to public criticism of the proposal procession of artists Atta Halilintar and Aurel Hermansyah which was broadcasted live on television.

The reason was that the screening of the 4-hour program was deemed to have violated the public's right to obtain quality information.

The Coordinator of KPI's Broadcast Content Supervision, Mimah Susanti, explained that all broadcast programs by broadcasting institutions, in this case, television stations, must refer to existing regulations.

Broadcasting code of conduct ethics regulates the obligations of broadcasting institutions to prioritize the public interest in broadcasting broadcast programs. Broadcast programs must also be used for the public interest.

"So all broadcasting programs which is broadcasted on television must consider these benefits," said Mimah when contacted by VOI, Sunday, March 14.

"The content is a variety of programs. There are news broadcasts, television, entertainment, various kinds of broadcast programs," she continued.

However, Mimah said, all of these broadcast programs have objectives of being informative, educative, and entertaining the public. There are also functions of social control and social adhesive.

"Well, it has become a complete unit. Don't just inform without education. So if you mean entertaining, you also have to be educative. Comedy is entertaining, but you shouldn't insult, bully, that's healthy entertainment," she explained.

"If the context is this celebrity marriage, apart from information for viewers, is there any educational side? Which is it dominant? Of course, the education side must be more dominant," she added.

Because the frequency of the public is used, added Mimah, of course, the benefits to the public must be more. Mimah also admits that KPI does not deny that there is a rating interest from broadcast programs or advertising interests.

"But don't let the interests of ratings and advertisements lose to the interests of the public, because KPI has the mandate to accommodate the aspirations of the public regarding broadcast programs," she said.

Mimah added, actually broadcast programs like this have been evaluated by the KPI. Even sanctions already exist considering that the broadcast duration is too long. Moreover, weddings are privacy.

"But the principle is that broadcast programs must be used for the public interest. We want to see it because the duration is quite long which must be considered and evaluated," she said.

Mimah emphasized that the public may submit objections to broadcast programs that are deemed to be detrimental. Because of this, KPI has monitored broadcasts and summoned related parties for reports sent by the public.

"On Saturday, March 13th, we have sent a letter to the relevant television station, so that there will be preventive efforts if, for example, it wants to be aired again. There have been attempts to prosecute this broadcasting institution based on a plenary decision," said Mimah.

Before making a decision, KPI emphasized that Mimah had to listen to RCTI.

"That's why we can see whether the pamphlet was issued by the TV station concerned? So there are many things we ask for clarification. Yes, don't let similar broadcasts occur, hopefully, they won't happen again," she said.

Previously, the National Coalition for Broadcasting Reform (KNRP) rejected the form of broadcasting weddings and artist applications on television. This is because such broadcasts violate people's rights to higher quality content.

KNRP regretted the attitude of KPI which was considered negligent so that applications to the artist's wedding could be broadcasted live on television.