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'Tara Basro did not violate ITE Law': Communications and information minister
Previously, the Communications and Information Ministry had accused the actress and model of violating Article 27 of the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law for uploading a black-and-white topless picture on Twitter. Tara has since deleted the post.
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Indonesian actress and model Tara Basro. (The Star/Chan Tak Kong)
A revealing photo Tara Basro posted of herself on Twitter does not violate the ethic codes enshrined in Law No. 11/2008 on electronic information and transactions, Communications and Information Minister Johnny G. Plate said on Thursday.
Previously, the Communications and Information Ministry had accused the actress and model of violating Article 27 of the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law for uploading a black-and-white topless picture on Twitter. Tara has since deleted the post.
The picture, which was uploaded as part of a body positivity campaign, depicted Tara covering parts of her topless body with her hands and was captioned “Worthy of Love”.
“Having seen the [picture] myself, the content indeed counts as nudity,” said the ministry’s spokesperson, Ferdinand Setu, on Wednesday as quoted by kompas.com.
However, Johnny issued a conflicting statement on the matter.
“Who says it violates the ITE Law? It doesn’t. One should look at it carefully, and evaluate it to see if it’s a form of art or not. If that’s the case, then nothing is wrong with it, since it’s art,” Johnny said on Thursday as quoted by kompas.com.
The minister said he had seen the picture and did not see how it could be considered a violation of the ITE Law.
Johnny said he believed Ferdinand only said the picture could potentially have violated the ITE Law.
“There is no difference. If the spokesman said Tara violated the law, that’s his fault. But he didn’t say that,” Johnny said.
In addition to posting the picture of her body on Twitter, Tara also uploaded another black-and-white picture of herself in her underwear on her official Instagram account, @tarabasro.
“What I’ve always heard from people [for a long time] is how ugly they think their bodies look. I eventually became used to criticizing and making fun [of my body]. If only we choose to grow accustomed to seeing the good in ourselves, to be grateful for what we have and make the best out of it instead of focusing on what we don’t have,” she wrote in the caption.
Following the ministry spokesman's statement, Tara received a wave of support from netizens inspired by her movement.
Some also posted pictures of their bodies, and expressed gratitude toward Tara for starting the movement.
“This was the first time I was brave enough to show my teeth in a picture. Okay, I’m loving myself now!” Instagram user @fhitriiindah wrote in her Instagram story, which was reuploaded by Tara to her account.
“Huge calves, huge legs, and leg hair. I have started to not care about it, what matters is I’m happy,” another user, @wulanssrr, also wrote in her Instagram story. This story was later reuploaded to Tara’s account.
Some users expressed their love for their bodies through other forms such as interpretative dance and essays.
Another user, @euodiamichele, expressed her gratitude for the movement for giving her the courage to share her experiences of her newfound love for her body.
“It took me 24 years to finally be comfortable enough to wear a bikini out in public. Despite all the things people said, I feel good in it, so I’m not sorry, because I know I’m worthy of love. Thank you @tarabasro, because of you I’ve gained the courage to post this on social media,” Euodia said in her Instagram story. (dpk)
