MEDIA, MORALITY, AND MISUNDERSTANDING: WHAT THE TRANS7 CASE REVEALS ABOUT CULTURAL SENSITIVITY IN INDONESIAN TV

 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.