sound check: Ahmad Shabery (front right) given a briefing by sound engineer Azriddin Hamzah (second right) during a visit to Finas. — Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR: The digital television (Digital TV) service infrastructure in the Klang Valley is expected to be ready in 2015 and, nationwide, by 2017, said Communication and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.
He said in this regard, Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) was expected to have seven new networks, and as a platform, it could be used by broadcasters like Media Prima and others.
“It is digital, if Astro is based on satelite, it (Digital TV) is terrestrial based. As such, we must make preparations in the next two years to ensure the new networks have content which are of quality not only for screening locally but also for export.
“As such, we also look at the partnerships in existence other than Finas (Malaysian National Film Development Corporation) and the Multimedia Development Corporation to specify their preparations in facing the new era for digital TV,” he told reporters after visiting Finas’ office here yesterday.
Touching on another matter, Ahmad Shabery also suggested that mini theatres be set up in small towns nationwide to provide more avenues for the screening of local films.
“We will look at its (mini-theatre’s) cost, budget and business model so that it can be regarded as progressive and viable in the future. I feel this matter must be speeded up,” he said, adding that the mini theatres might be placed under Finas.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Shabery said he understood that many police reports had been lodged concerning a Facebook account of a person who allegedly insulted the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“I urge the Malysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (SKMM) to help the police investigate the matter,” he said.
On the regulation implemented by Singapore requiring websites visited by at least 50,000 visitors in the country to be licensed, Ahmad Shabery said the ministry was looking into the matter to ensure it did not hamper freedom of the press in the country.
“We must look at its effectiveness, can it check all matters or is it only a reminder that the government is unhappy if the abuse of the social media is widespread.
“I want to scrutinise and study how far it is effective and if it can be regarded as a model to be followed,” he said.
He also stressed that when Malaysia did not impose any checks on the online media in the country, there were still claims that press freedom in the country was curtailed, but the truth was that social media had become the mainstream media. — Bernama