TV Broadcast Sparks Conflict: Clerics and Students Condemn 'Insulting' Pesantren Report

By Our Media Affairs Correspondent & Ikhsan Normandhika’s Interview

A recent broadcast on the national television channel Trans7 has ignited widespread controversy across Indonesia, especially among the country's prominent Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) and their alumni. The contentious episode of the program, Xpose Uncensored, allegedly mocked the revered tradition of santri (students) showing extreme deference to their Kiai (religious leaders), such as bowing or crawling to show respect, and controversially insinuated that some clerics were exploiting this custom for financial gain. The broadcast, which aired on October 13, 2025, has drawn strong condemnation, with the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU) and alumni of the renowned Lirboyo Islamic Boarding School filing protests and demanding an official apology and the content's withdrawal. 

Image Source: Jawa Pos

 

Calls for Boycott Deemed 'Excessive' Amidst Conflicting Views 

The incident has resulted in a public debate pitting journalistic freedom against religious and cultural respect. The core dispute centers on how the media should portray the sensitive cultural practices within the pesantren world.

One side argues that the Trans7 broadcast was "reasonable" (wajar) as it was simply "conveying facts" occurring in some pesantren and had not violated press regulations. Proponents of this view suggest that religious boarding schools should use this moment to "reform themselves" (berbenah), particularly in the digital age where every incident is easily shared across various media platforms. This perspective also holds that the trending calls for a boycott are "unreasonable" (tidak wajar), as it gives the false impression that the pesantren community is trying to "hide the actual facts". They see the entire situation as a "misunderstanding" that requires both the media and the pesantren to adapt to the rapid flow of information.

Conversely, Hamid, a source from Pondok Pesantren An-Nuriyah Demak, provided a strong critique of the content's focus. He acknowledged that while some kiai may unfortunately exploit their positions, the broadcast should have targeted these "rogue individuals" who "abuse the vision and mission" of the institution, rather than airing scenes that "undermine the good ethics" of the pesantren community.

He strongly echoed the sentiment that a boycott is "excessive" (berlebihan), urging that dialogue and discussion should be pursued instead, especially since a boycott would negatively impact Transmart's business and the wider public interest. He advised that Trans7 should be more cautious and selective in creating content that touches upon public faith and religious boarding schools.

 

Image source: Oppo A3X Hamid Student from An – Nuriyah reportedly on October 24^th 2025 

Aftermath and Official Action

Following the intense backlash, representatives from Trans7 conducted an audience with the alumni of the Lirboyo Islamic Boarding School to apologize for what they termed as "negligence" in the broadcast. The incident has prompted calls from the House of Representatives (DPR) for the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) to audit and evaluate the network's broadcasting rights. Furthermore, the Jakarta Metropolitan Police have confirmed they are investigating an official report filed against Trans7 concerning alleged hate speech and insults directed at Islamic scholars and boarding schools. The controversy has underscored the pressing need for the media to be sensitive to religious and cultural contexts while fulfilling its role as a source of information.

 

Image Source: ANTARA News