Delay in supply of equipment does not affect RTM’s news centre operations – Broadcasting D-G

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KUALA LUMPUR: The delay in supply of equipment and facilities did not affect news broadcasting operations at Radio Television Malaysia’s (RTM) news centre Wisma Berita.

According to a statement from the office of the director-general (D-G) of Broadcasting, Wisma Berita had combined all TV and radio news operations which had been operating separately, under one roof.

“This convergence has created a work environment that is more conducive and comfortable, as well as more efficient use of resources,” he said.

According to the statement, the Current News Affairs Division had been able to increase its airtime, the frequency of news, and current affairs programmes.

In addition to that, a news summary programme BES 5-10 was introduced in September last year in an effort to disseminate a wider array of information to public.

However, the office hoped that discussions between the government and the companies that were tasked to provide broadcasting facilities could be finalised as soon as possible so that the equipment could start being delivered and Wisma Berita could operate as planned.

“It is also part of RTM’s preparation towards the creation of a new news channel under the digitization project,” he said.

Yesterday, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed raised the issue of RTM requiring a provision of RM126 million to equip Wisma Berita.

Nur Jazlan also questioned that eventhough the news centre had been ready since June 2012, it was still not optimally utilised because RTM lacked funds to buy equipment.

According to the statement released by the office, the original Wisma Berita project application including modern equipment was fully borne by the government.

“However in 2012, the government decided to appoint Media City Development Sdn Bhd to hold the Media City project.

“One of the Media City project’s scope is to finance and supply broadcasting facilities as a Private Finance Initiative (PFI). In order to safeguard the interests of the government, negotiations between the two parties, including issues relating to land are still ongoing,” he said.

According to the statement, the negotiations between the two parties caused the supply of equipment to be delayed. — BERNAMA