The Ban of Senyap (The Look of Silence) Movie in Indonesia by Film Censorship Agency Viewed from Human Rights Perspective

Abstract

Film is one of information delivering media that can be used by all people to implement right to know. One of the films banned in Indonesia by Film Censorship Agency is Senyap (The Look of Silence) movie that tells the historical event of Movement in 30 September 1965. The ban is contradicting with positive welcome addressed by Human Rights figures in Indonesia. The present research is conducted to comprehend the conformity between the ban of Senyap movie executed by Film Censorship Agency and human rights especially right to know. This is done through legal research towards primary, secondary, and tertiary law materials related to right to know and film. The result of research reveals that preventive action taken by Film Censorship Agency in form of banning Senyap movie is considered exaggerated and limiting rights of people to know as well as limiting opinion expressing of the maker, Joshua Oppenheimer. On the other hand, the ban limits the problem solving opportunity in form of serious human rights violation which is not solved until now. Moreover, it is suggested that there must be a review towards the ban of Senyap movie and censorship effort that should focus on the arts of movie as well as delivery of message and information contained in the film.