Jakarta – Indonesian television network Trans7 has issued a public apology following widespread backlash over a broadcast about Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) that many viewers said insulted Muslim clerics and religious culture.
The controversial segment aired on October 13 as part of the program Xpose Uncensored, featuring footage from several pesantren – including the well-known Lirboyo Islamic boarding school – accompanied by provocative commentary.
One of the captions in the report read: "Students must squat to receive a glass of milk – is this what life in a pesantren looks like?" Another line stated: "The clerics live in wealth, funded by money envelopes from their followers."
The broadcast came as Indonesia was still mourning the collapse of the Al-Khoziny pesantren in Sidoarjo, East Java, which killed 67 students and injured several others during construction – heightening sensitivities around coverage of Islamic schools.
The segment quickly triggered calls for a boycott of Trans7 on social media, with users accusing the network of spreading prejudice against pesantren communities.
Yahya Cholil Staquf, chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) – Indonesia's largest Muslim organization – condemned the program, saying it demeaned religious leaders and misrepresented pesantren life.
"The Trans7 program blatantly mocked and insulted pesantren and their respected figures, who are deeply revered within Nahdlatul Ulama," Yahya told local media in Jakarta.
Trans7's apology and internal action
On Tuesday, Trans7's management publicly apologized for the broadcast.
Andi Chairil, the network's Director of Production, acknowledged editorial negligence, saying that although the footage was produced by an external production house, Trans7 remained fully responsible for its content.
"Trans7 admits its mistake. Even though the material came from a production house, we cannot escape responsibility," Andi said. "We sincerely apologize to Kiai Haji Anwar Manshur, the students, caretakers, and alumni of the pesantren."
He added that the network would impose disciplinary measures on both its internal editorial team and the external production company involved.
Following the controversy, Trans7 removed all related content from its television broadcasts, social media, and digital platforms, pledging to strengthen editorial oversight to prevent similar incidents in the future.