The Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) reminded broadcasters not to show shows containing the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) elements.

KPI has supervision over terrestrial television and radio

It is just known that the public was shocked by the showing of children's cartoons containing LGBT elements in the last few days. Footage of the cartoon film circulated via social media after being uploaded by a netizen.

Jakarta KPI Vice Chairman, Rizky Wahyuni said that her party had investigated the showing footage of cartoon films containing LGBT elements in public, private and subscription broadcasting institutions which were the domain of KPI's supervision.

This cartoon film is shown on the Over The Top (OTT) Youtube channel which in fact is not part of the KPI's supervisory authority in accordance with the mandate of Law 32/2002 on Broadcasting authority.

"KPI has supervision over terrestrial television and radio. However, we remind all broadcasting institutions to be careful of all programs on television, especially LGBT like this," she expressed, in her written statement, Tuesday (8/22).

She went on to say that KPI has a corridor of authority to control television content, thus it complies with regulations in order to create quality broadcasts, uphold ethics, morals, and norms in society.

"We continue to urge and ensure that broadcasting institutions are committed to maintaining the mentality and morals of the nation," she continued.

Her party had also clarified and provided guidance to a broadcasting institution that broadcasts LGBT couples as a commitment to carry out its function as a broadcasting regulator.

“If violations are found, we will definitely follow up on them. Precisely what is worrying right now is that there are so many unfiltered broadcasts or content containing elements that damage the morals and ethics of the nation's children which are broadcast in new media such as O TT, Video on Demand (VOD) and social media. It is often reported to KPI," she added.

She hoped that the government would immediately issue regulations regarding the supervision of this new media in order to prevent the same case in the future. It was because there were institutions that immediately take action against or take preventive measures against broadcasts that damage morals.

"We must be smart in consuming broadcasts on whatever channels we watch. We have to be careful, empathetic, disciplined, active, and selective," she stated.