Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) and the Republic of Indonesia Film Censorship Agency (LSF RI) held socialization and discussion related to the culture of independent film censorship. The goal is to encourage students to be more innovative in choosing the shows they watch. The activity was held directly at the UMSU Auditorium – Jl. Kapten Muchtar Basri No. 3 Medan, Thursday (17/3).
The event was hosted by UMSU FISIP Lecturer Nurhasanah Nasution, MIKom, presenting three presenters, including the Head of the LSF Data, Reporting and Publication Sub-Commission, Dra. Rita Sri Hastuti, Chair of the Sub-Commission, Noorca M Massardi, and Head of the UMSU Public Relations Bureau, Dr. Ribut Priadi, M.I Kom.
Through this dialogue and discussion space, Dra. Rita introduced the existence of LFS, a legacy of the Dutch during the colonial period. However, some people are reluctant to apply the Dutch heritage in Indonesia because no film censorship agency exists in America. However, according to Dra. Rita, the existence of LFS is not entirely a legacy from the Netherlands because the Dutch imitated America in establishing this institution.
“The task of the Film Censorship Institute is not only to cut and censor but first there is a dialogue and discussion with the film owner to revise it, to make it more humane,” said Dra. Rita was the first speaker.
According to Dra. Rita, LSF works based on three books that serve as guidelines UMSU – LSF RI Held Socialization of Independent Film Censorship Culture, namely Law no. 33 Regarding Film, Government Regulation (PP) No. 18 of 2014 concerning the Film Censorship Institute and Permendikbud No. 14 of 2019 concerning guidelines and criteria for censorship, age classification of audiences and withdrawal of films and film advertisements from circulation.
Meanwhile, the Head of the FLS Dialogue Sub-Commission, Noorca M Massardi, appealed to the culture of self-censorship that needs to be applied in choosing shows. According to him, before the Covid-19 pandemic, people didn’t really care about digital displays. They only cared about showing movies in theaters. However, during the Covid-19 pandemic, people are more complementary in choosing shows such as on video streaming services that do not follow the rules of censorship institutions.
“This independent censorship culture is one of LFS’ efforts to protect the public from the negative impact of films. So, watch movies according to age classification, especially for children. Parents need to encourage their children because UMSU – LSF RI Held Socialization of Independent Film Censorship Cultureonly parents can explain to their children,” said Noorca.
In addition, he also explained that the LFS system works, namely that films that will be censored are never saved because FLS is only given access in the form of a password to scrutinize films that will be redacted. So it can not directly cut or censor inappropriate scenes.
“LFS only records scenes that are considered to show pornography, racial intolerance, offensive to religion, violence, and so on. After the location is recorded, FLS gives the results to the film owner to be revised but not cut or censored directly by LSF, but the film owner, “explained Noorca as the second speaker.
The socialization of independent censorship culture cannot be separated from the increasingly massive condition of film and technology. Responding to this condition, Dr. Ribut Priadi, MIKom UMSU – LSF RI Held Socialization of Independent Film Censorship Cultureillustrates the importance of digital literacy in education. He described the dangers of digital development through Gunawan Muhammad’s writings at Tempo,
“We can enjoy the violence of war, blood, tears, and pain while eating fried peanuts as entertainment. However, this condition can be tragic because there has been a change without realizing it,” said Dr. Noisy.
He also saw that most people think their country’s culture is low and marginal, so they begin to forget their national identity. This happens because of the effects of the spectacle. Therefore, one must return to national identity by utilizing the existing natural resources to become a superior nation.
UMSU – LSF RI Held Socialization of Independent Film Censorship Culture There are at least 4 things that can be applied to understanding digital literacy. Apart from self-censorship, namely being able to identify the motives of articles or shows, locating agenda settings, framing arranged so that they can think critically, learning to be skeptical of information, and showing an understanding of bubble filters.
The socialization, attended by students from across faculties, ended with a discussion and a group photo. (Pny)
