A lesson in sensitivity: When modern media misreads sacred
traditions.
By : Satria lana yudha dj ( 30802300001 )
Source : Stiestikom
Semarang, 2025
The controversy surrounding Trans7’s portrayal of life inside an Islamic
boarding school (pesantren)
has reignited a broader debate about how Indonesian media represents religion
and culture. The issue is no longer just about one show it’s about how national television continues
to struggle with cultural sensitivity in a country built upon diversity.
The program,
which aired scenes depicting students serving their teachers in ways considered
“excessive” by some viewers, quickly went viral. Many felt that Trans7 failed
to understand the spiritual significance behind those gestures, which, for
santri, symbolize humility and devotion rather than submission or exploitation.
“Memang menyinggung, selayaknya mereka menjadi media besar, mereka harus
melakukan riset lebih mendalam dengan isu yang sensitif,” said
Alexander Vito Dharma Putra, reflecting the frustration of many pesantren
alumni who felt that their traditions were misrepresented.
This
criticism underscores a recurring problem within Indonesia’s broadcasting
industry: a lack of research and contextual awareness before airing programs
involving local or religious elements. While many media professionals emphasize
creative freedom, audiences are increasingly demanding ethical responsibility.
For Muna Dzar Azmi Haqiqi, the heart of the problem lies
not in intention, but in execution.
“Tujuan Trans7 benar, tapi cara penyampaiannya yang salah,” she said. “Nggak
semua pondok itu sama, ada yang sesat ada yang benar, nggak bisa
disamaratakan.”
Her statement highlights a critical point: religious representation requires
nuance. Treating all pesantren as identical ignores the diversity that exists
within Islamic education itself.
Meanwhile, Aryo Wicaksono, a pesantren administrator, defended the
cultural context of the scenes shown.
“Kami melihat tindakan memberi uang ke kiai kami adalah sebagai bentuk
ngabdi kami. Adapun cara jalan berjongkok seperti itu adalah keharusan yang
sudah kami pelajari di dalam kitab,” he explained.
What outsiders saw as “servitude,” insiders viewed as sacred tradition — a
clash that reveals the gap between media framing and lived experience.
The way
Trans7 responded to public backlash also drew criticism. Many said the apology
lacked sincerity and failed to address the core issue — the need for cultural
literacy.
“Metode ataupun langkah meminta maaf yang digunakan oleh direktur Trans7
salah,” said M.
Alifullah El Salami, an alumnus of Mambaus Sholihin Islamic Boarding School. “Cara
yang meminta maaf yang benar adalah so’an bertemu langsung dengan pihak yang
dirugikan.”
For many pesantren communities, an apology is not merely verbal; it is an act
of humility and respect — something that cannot be replaced by a public
statement alone.
Cultural
experts note that such missteps reflect a larger systemic issue in Indonesia’s
media industry. Production teams often lack consultants or advisors who
understand local traditions, leading to shallow or misleading portrayals. This
not only damages public trust but also fuels tension between media institutions
and religious communities.
As one
respondent summarized:
“Harusnya ada orang pesantren di tim produksi mereka, biar nggak salah
arti.”
The Trans7
controversy thus serves as both a warning and a lesson. In the rush to produce
sensational content, media companies risk overlooking the depth and dignity of
the cultures they represent. True journalism, after all, is not only about
telling stories — it is about telling them right.
