By The Straits Times | Created at 2026-06-02 08:31:43 | Updated at 2026-06-07 17:12:30
5 days ago
A TV channel in Indonesia that accidentally broadcast pornography to its viewers on the morning of June 1 has apologised for the mishap, and said an investigation is underway.
In a statement on June 1, JAKTV said the broadcast disruption resulted in “the airing of inappropriate content that did not meet JAKTV’s broadcasting standards”.
A 37-second-long video that was circulated online shows a clip, involving a man and a woman engaging in a sexual act, streaming in what appears to be a picture-in-picture mode at 9am local time (10am in Singapore), as the viewer flips through different channels on a television.
“We understand that this incident has caused discomfort, shock, and concern, particularly among families, parents, and the public who were watching JAKTV,” said the channel. “We prioritise the concerns and well-being of our viewers in addressing this incident.”
JAKTV is a channel based in Jakarta and its satellite cities, collectively known as Jabodetabek.
The channel said that based on initial investigations, the pornographic material was not part of any of its programs, editorial content or official broadcast. It said it took immediate action, including halting the broadcast, securing the broadcast system and conducting a comprehensive technical review.
It is also investigating the cause of the incident, including examining the possibility of security breaches to the broadcast system.
JAKTV said it will coordinate with the relevant parties to ensure the matter is handled appropriately, effectively and responsibly.
“As a broadcasting institution, JAKTV is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy broadcast environment that complies with applicable broadcasting regulations,” it said, adding that it appreciates the public’s attention, reports and concern.
The incident, which took place on Pancasila Day, a public holiday in Indonesia, caught the attention of parents, who warned others to be careful when viewing the channel.
“JAKTV, what is this? Reminder for parents to be careful when looking at the JAKTV channel,” said a netizen on Threads.
“I was so surprised to see JAKTV this morning... I immediately covered my child’s eyes,” said another.
A netizen on Threads said the clip had played for over an hour, while another commented on a post on JAKTV’s Instagram page that the video had streamed for over 30 minutes.
In 2016, a man was arrested for hacking into a public billboard in south Jakarta and streaming a pornographic video.The video was played for five minutes before power was cut.
Rhea Yasmine is a journalist at The Straits Times. She covers local and international issues, with an interest in South-east Asia.
