DOI: 10.5176/2335-6618_1.1.4
Authors: Rahayu
Abstract:
Since Indonesia’s political transformation in 1998, its media landscape has dramatically changed. The print media and television industries have been flourishing. In addition, Internet adoption has increased and broadened, as indicated by the growing number of Internet users, service providers, cafes, blogs, Facebook and Twitter accounts. Different sectors of the Indonesian population have responded differently to this maturation of the media landscape. As a religious community, the Muslims are the most active and outspoken in criticizing the Indonesian media. Even though the Indonesian Muslims believe that heavy media bombardment has affected degradation in moral and religious commitment, their response to the media has been far from homogenous. Some Muslims groups, especially those from radical Islam, are very critical of the growth in pornographic content in mainstream media outlets. These radical groups tend to use force to show their disapproval, such as by intimidating members of the media. In contrast, moderate groups prefer to campaign for media literacy education. Some members divert their attention to their home domain, in an attempt to control media usage within their homes. In this domain, parents set regulations to control their children's media use. The parents use the Qur’an, and the Hadith as a basis of reference to judge the media. Parents also recommend media to their children that are congruent with their religious belief and identity as Muslims. This article attempts to show how Muslims in Indonesia regulate the media within their home, and how their religious beliefs serve as the foundation to set regulations on their children's media use.
Keywords: Muslim families, media regulation, parental mediation, television and internet
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