Malaysia’s national broadcaster, Radio Television Malaysia (RTM), was urged today to “return to the people” to maintain its edge in an ever-expanding broadcasting industry, Bernama news agency reports. The Information, Communication and Culture Minister, Rais Yatim, said if there was no change in RTM, “it will lose its edge and will never able to rise again in the world of broadcasting”.RTM should go to the field and make its presence felt, he told RTM officers and staff at a gathering in Kuala Lumpur to mark its 64th anniversary. “Let us have a people-oriented RTM so that it can reach the masses in all nooks and crannies of the country, in villages, towns, estates and places in Sabah and Sarawak.” he said.
He said RTM should be at the forefront of the country’s broadcasting industry. “Village folks deserve a visit by RTM…go down to the field, in smaller orchestra ensembles and play old tunes as well as new ones. Only then can the people feel the presence of RTM among them. Only then can RTM remain in the society’s consciousness,” he said.
Mr Rais also suggested RTM should carry out exchanges of production staff with Malaysia’s private TV stations.
(Source: Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)