Five Facts About TRANS7’s Controversy Igniting Reporting on Lirboyo Islamic Boarding School, Media Indonesia
By Gana Buana for Media Indonesia, October 14, 2025
Recent controversy involving Trans7 television reporting has ignited public attention, particularly in relation to a television broadcast that highlighted unfavorably Islamic Boarding School (Pondok Pesantren) Lirboyo in the East Java provincial city Kediri. Here are five facts you should know about the controversy:
- Controversial Segment on Trans7 TV show “Xpose Uncensored”
On October 13, 2025, the Trans7 television program “Xpose Uncensored” aired a segment that has triggered significant ongoing controversy. The broadcast referenced the relationship between students and spiritual leaders at Islamic Boarding School Lirboyo, in the city of Kediri, with a narrative widely perceived as demeaning.
- Highlighted Statement: Students “Willing to Crawl”
One particularly inflammatory comment described students as “willing to crawl/grovel” to present envelopes [fully of cash] to their spiritual leaders. The remark was deemed unethical and misaligned with the high values taught at the boarding school, especially regarding the relationship between students and the spiritual leaders of Islamic boarding schools.
- Public and Social Media Backlash
Following the broadcast, the hashtag #BoycottTrans7 went viral on social media as a form of protest. The public felt that the segment insulted the highly respected Islamic boarding school tradition, particularly among the non-government Islamic community organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) which boasts a membership of around 108 million members.
- Response from Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission
The controversy has also caught the attention of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), which condemned the broadcast. MUI called on the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) to take strict action against Trans7 for alleged blasphemy against spiritual leaders and the Islamic boarding school traditions. MUI emphasized the need for media to exercise greater caution in presenting content related to religion and tradition.
- Trans7 Issues Official Apology
In response to the controversy, the Trans7 media organization issued an official apology. Through Production Director Andi Chairil, the television station expressed its regret to Islamic Boarding School Lirboyo, its leadership, caretakers, students, and alumni. The apology was published on October 14, 2025, via news outlet Detik.com.
The controversy underscores the importance of media sensitivity when reporting on religious institutions. Furthermore, prompt responses and appropriate apologies are crucial for maintaining positive relations with the public. (Ant/Mediaindonesa/Z-10)
This post is based on https://mediaindonesia.com/hiburan/820679/5-fakta-pemberitaan-trans7-terkait-pesantren-lirboyo-yang-memicu-kecaman. Featured image credit: A student demonstrates martial arts movements after a flag-raising ceremony held by Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) at the Lirboyo Islamic Boarding School in Kediri City, East Java, October 22, 2021. The flag-raising ceremony, which concluded with a pencak silat martial arts demonstration at the school for commemorations for National Santri Day. ANTARA FOTO/Prasetia Fauzani//hp. https://www.antarafoto.com/id/view/1525621/peringatan-hari-santri-di-lirboyo.
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