Role of TV, radio as main source of govt information needs to be restored

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KUALA LUMPUR: The Communications and Multimedia Ministry needs to act fast in restoring the position and role of television and radio as the main source of government information in this country.

Its deputy minister, Datuk Jailani Johari said as the conveyor of the government’s voice, the ministry needed to move in tandem with the modernisation taking place as rapid information technology advancement had contributed to the declining popularity of these two main mediums for information.

“For us to remain relevant, there is no other way but to move along or we would be left behind in this era of globalisation.

“I am confident that through various efforts and approaches planned, the ministry will be able to come up with something new in delivering information on government policies, besides using those old methods that are still effective and relevant.”

He said this in his speech when officiating at the ministerial-level Innovation Day event at the Tun Abdul Razak Institute of Broadcasting and Information (IPPTAR), here, yesterday.

Also present were the ministry’s deputy secretary-general I Datuk Dr Rothiah Omar and IPPTAR director-general Datuk Adilah Shek Omar.

Jailani stressed that whatever policy or decision made by the government needed to be explained to the people as best as possible as failure to do so could be detrimental.

Therefore, he said, any action to disseminate government information must be well planned and studied, and using the most suitable approach in line with today’s lifestyle.

He said important agencies like RTM, the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), Information Department and Special Affairs Department must continue to evaluate and improve on their information delivery approaches that should also be suited to the current trends.

Jailani said the transformation process from the analogue system to digital being undertaken under the National Digitalisation Programme could place the ministry and its agencies as a new authoritative media in line with its function as a government’s spokesman.

At the event, U Pustaka, an online library service developed by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, was named champion in the ‘Best Innovation’ category.

Bernama was second behind IPPTAR in the ‘Office Cheerfulness’ category while the news agency’s staff Maznah Abu Bakar won third place in the ‘Creative Innovation Writing’ category. — Bernama