The rapid advancement of communication technology has significantly reshaped how people consume media and watch films. Over time, exposure to films and media content can directly influence viewer behavior. This underscores the crucial role of Indonesia’s Film Censorship Institution (Lembaga Sensor Film) in filtering content violence, pornography, hate speech, gambling, threats to human rights, legal violations, and narcotics or addictive substances, which are outlined as censorship criteria under Regulation of the Ministry of Education and Culture No. 14 of 2019.

To effectively carry out this mandate, LSF needs to understand the public’s awareness and perception of such content. Media containing elements  harmful may influence societal behavior in both conscious and unconscious ways. Therefore, a study was conducted to explore how people perceive film content in relation to these censorship criteria.

The study had four primary objectives:

1. To gain an in-depth understanding of public perception toward censorship criteria.

2. To explore public sentiment about the current state of Indonesian cinema.

3. To assess awareness and understanding of the self-censorship culture (Budaya Sensor Mandiri).

4. To observe media consumption behavior across demographics.

Using a mix of methodologies including surveys, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions the research was conducted across four major Indonesian cities: Makassar, Medan, Surabaya, and Jakarta.

Key findings reveal that 72% of respondents claimed to be aware of age-based film classifications, while 25% admitted they had no knowledge of it. Interestingly, only 47% said they consistently watched films appropriate for their age group, whereas 53% admitted to having watched films outside their designated classification.

With today’s wide-open access to media, students are often exposed to various types of content without the proper guidance to digest them critically. In this digital era, media literacy is essential. As media consumption habits evolve among young people, so too do their perceptions of what is appropriate especially regarding the criteria used in media content censorship.

This study explores students’ perceptions of the elements considered in film and film advertisement censorship, including violence, gambling, narcotics and other addictive substances, pornography, ethnicity, race, societal groups, religion, legal issues, human rights, and viewer age classification.

Using a stratified random sampling method, the study surveyed 560 students across primary (SD), junior high (SMP), senior high (SMA), and vocational (SMK) schools in Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi covering 14 administrative zones within the Jabodetabek area.

The research applied a survey-based approach to assess how students perceive sensitive content, particularly scenes involving violence and pornography. Interestingly, the findings showed that most elementary school students disagreed with the notion that kissing scenes, violent behavior, or other sensitive content would make them want to imitate what they saw on screen.

However, this contrasts sharply with the views expressed by students at the SMP, SMA, and SMK levels, who demonstrated a more varied and in some cases, more permissive set of attitudes.

The findings should be interpreted with care. The elementary students’ responses should not be taken to mean that children no longer need content restrictions or censorship. On the contrary, the data call for deeper contextualization through additional narrative support.

To strengthen the interpretation, the researchers recommend incorporating qualitative data specifically, interviews with selected elementary school students chosen via purposive sampling. These students should represent a range of academic abilities (high, medium, and low), as identified by their teachers, to better understand the nuances behind their responses and perceptions.

Film and film advertising are able to convey positive messages, as well as  negative ones. It may affect certain age groups, while the  access to all kinds of  content is disturbingly easy. The growing availability of film content and advertisements, coupled with diverse distribution channels, raises public concern over their potential negative impact on vulnerable viewers.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Film Censorship Institution (Lembaga Sensor Film ) continues its role in screening and monitoring film content. However, the sheer volume and reach of today’s film and advertising products often exceed the board’s capacity. To address this gap, LSF has initiated and promoted the Budaya Sensor Mandiri (BSM), or Self-Censorship Culture Movement, encouraging audiences to take personal responsibility in evaluating what they watch.

In line with this initiative, LSF conducted a national survey to assess the performance of the  film sector and the development of self-censorship practices. The study assessed four key areas: the effectiveness of LSF’s duties, the achievement of national film objectives, the performance of the film industry’s core functions, and the public’s awareness of the BSM movement.

The survey used a multi-stage random sampling method, involving 1,220 respondents aged 17 and older, across 34 provinces and 122 cities/regencies. Participants were interviewed face-to-face, providing qualitative insights into their viewing habits and perspectives on censorship.

Findings revealed that some members of the public still watch films or advertisements that do not match their age classification. However, the majority of respondents emphasized the importance of selecting appropriate content, with significant variations based on location, age, and education level.

Most respondents agreed that cultivating a culture of self-censorship within families is essential. When effectively implemented, self-censorship is seen as a powerful tool to raise awareness across all levels of society. Respondents identified public service announcements, collaboration with educational institutions, and social media campaigns as the most effective strategies to promote this culture.

In today's digital era , there is an urgent need for greater individual awareness of content selection. LSF’s role as a regulator remains vital and irreplaceable.

The ongoing wave of the Fourth Industrial Revolution continues to accelerate the growth of digital platforms in the entertainment world. With only a smartphone and internet access, practically anyone can tap into a vast and varied universe of entertainment content. However, the unfiltered flow of information, presents a growing concern.

To address the risks posed by unrestricted access to various digital contents, Film Censorship Institution of the Republic of Indonesia (Lembaga Sensor Film RI) has been actively working to mitigate the negative impact of harmful content. One of its flagship initiatives is the promotion of Budaya Sensor Mandiri, a cultural movement that encourages individuals to consciously filter and select the films they create, show, or view.

This study was conducted to measure public perception of the Budaya Sensor Mandiri campaign, to assess how the public views the role and performance of LSF RI, and to gather feedback for the ongoing development of both the program and the institution’s public image.

Using a purposive sampling approach, the survey targeted participants of LSF webinars held from July to November 2020, as well as members of Indonesia - based blogger, Instagramers, and YouTuber communities.

A total of 1,211 respondents submitted the questionnaire. Based on the analysis, the public perception index for LSF RI reached 78.1, indicating a strongly positive public opinion. Even more encouraging, the index for Budaya Sensor Mandiri scored 84.7, reflecting very favorable public support for the initiative.

Statistical analysis further revealed that LSF’s outreach efforts particularly through webinars and public campaigns have been effective. Respondents who had participated in LSF webinars showed significantly higher perception scores than those who had not, suggesting that public education efforts are making a measurable difference.

The rapid advancement of technology has ushered in a new era of media, enabling near-instant interaction between creators and their audiences. In Indonesia, the use of social media continues to surge among both young and adult demographics, reshaping how information is shared and consumed. With this shift comes the growing need to critically assess the content we encounter—especially in digital spaces.

This is where the  Film Censorship Institution of Republic of Indonesia  (Lembaga Sensor Film RI) plays a vital role: not only in overseeing film content, but also in educating netizens on the importance of sensor mandiri, or self-censorship. The goal is to cultivate a new cultural mindset in creating,  watching, and engaging with digital content.

This 2019 survey aimed to collect baseline data and trace the experiences of individuals who participated in the Budaya Sensor Mandiri (BSM) outreach activities throughout the year, while also assessing public awareness of LSF RI. Additionally, the study captured insights from Indonesian content creators, exploring their knowledge of LSF RI and their understanding of BSM implementation. The results serve as a valid database for program evaluation and for shaping a more adaptive and impactful BSM roadmap.

The survey utilized a personalized video platform by beyonddynamic.com, targeting a database of 3,000 individuals who had participated in LSF RI’s 2019 BSM socialization efforts. This was complemented by outreach through ivibesmedia.com, which connected the survey to 2,000 content creators across Indonesia.

Findings revealed that the majority of BSM participants strongly supported the need for self-censorship, viewing films and audiovisual media as tools for national cultural resilience. Among content creators, awareness of BSM was split evenly between those familiar with the program and those unaware of it highlighting a significant opportunity for LSF RI to boost outreach.

To strengthen this momentum, the report recommends expanding the BSM campaign through strategic partnerships with high-impact influencers across various social media platforms. With the right voices amplifying the message, BSM has the potential to become a widely embraced cultural movement in Indonesia’s fast-evolving digital landscape.

Social media has been preferred by today’s people as the main platform of communication. The freedom offered by these platforms also demands a higher level of self-awareness and responsibility.  Therefore, the capacity of being respectful and smart netizens is a must.

Film Censorship Institution of The Republic of Indonesia (Lembaga Sensor Film) sees itself as a key actor in promoting self-censorship culture, not just in film viewing but also in how individuals engage with digital content be it watching, commenting, or creating. LSF, aims to instill this practice as a new cultural norm for digital citizens.

This survey was designed to gather databases and to map public perception of the Budaya Sensor Mandiri (Self-Censorship Culture) program, as well as public opinion of LSF RI as a public service institution. The results contribute the 2018 program evaluation,  and support the development of four key performance indicators for the Self-Censorship Culture initiative. The survey also aimed to centralize these indicators on the official LSF website (lsf.go.id) by analyzing keyword interaction and online traffic, to help shaping a more dynamic and moving - forward BSM program.

Conducted digitally through email blasts via Mailchimp, YouTube Ads, influencer promotions on Twitter and blogs, referral codes via WhatsApp/LINE, Facebook Fanpage promos, and homepage promotions on ivibesmedia.com, the survey gathered responses from 5,093 participants.

On a national level, the outreach of LSF’s socialization programs proved highly positive. Jakarta, as the region with the largest internet user population in Indonesia, contributed significantly to the survey, with 2,400 respondents (48.09%).

Findings from this e-survey reveal a clear connection between offline outreach and the online awareness of the Budaya Sensor Mandiri program. One key recommendation for 2019 is to revamp the campaign approach by focusing on more personalized, engaging activities, particularly tailored to resonate the millennial generation.

The way Indonesians consume films is undergoing a major transformation. With the rise of streaming services, not only has film distribution shifted, but audience preferences and viewing habits have also moved from theaters to digital platforms. While offering convenience, this digital access brings new challenges namely, overly broad access to content and increased exposure to potentially harmful material.

As more films contain sensitive content and societal values continue to evolve, the need to revise censorship guidelines and age classifications becomes more urgent. A film classification system that reflects contemporary realities and aligns with the psychological development of viewers is believed to help audiences make age appropriate viewing choices.

This study aims to identify the shifts in film consumption patterns in the digital era, public perception of negative elements in films, audience understanding of the role and function of the Film Censorship Institution (LSF), and the effectiveness and relevance of the current age classification system. It also explores how well the classifications are accepted by the public.

The research used a dual-method approach: surveys and focus group discussions (FGDs), involving 1,222 respondents across three age groups 13+, 17+, and 21+. Most respondents were from major urban centers such as Greater Jakarta (Jabodetabek), Bandung, Surabaya, Medan, and Makassar.

One of the key findings was a growing awareness among viewers about the presence of sensitive content in films. However, the main challenge lies in the fact that most digital platforms allow relatively unrestricted access, making it easy for children and teens to encounter adult themed content.