RTM Streamlines 'Warta Serumpun' To Be Model For Asean

Bernama, March 18, 2009 22:23 PM

JAKARTA, March 18 (Bernama) - Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) and 'Televisi Republik Indonesia' (TVRI) will tighten further the joint news programme 'Warta Serumpun' which is now being used as a model for similar programmes with the other Asean member countries.

Malaysian Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek said he had initiated preliminary discussions with his Indonesian counterpart, Prof Dr Muhammad Nuh on efforts to streamline the 30-minute news programme which was first broadcast on Aug 17, last year in conjunction with Indonesia's 63rd independence anniversary.

"I understand TVRI will also use 'Warta Serumpun' as a similar model with the other Asean nations. So, we will tighten it up to be streamlined," he told Bernama, here Wednesday.

He is here as a member of the Malaysian delegation in the Annual Consultation between Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Tuesday.

Shabery said among the things to be improved would be the time slot which should not necessarily be in the evening but could also be in the day time, the air time could be extended from half-an-hour to one hour which would be appropriate with the increased broadcast content.

He said, however, further discussion could not be held yet as Indonesia was busy with the campaign for the general election on April 9.

"I also had the opportunity to discuss with Muhammad Nuh the airing of advertisements during the 'Warta Serumpun' time slot," he said, adding that for the time being it was agreed that advertisements on tourism in the two countries could be aired in the news programme in both countries.

He said advertisements on other products could not be accommodated yet as there were sensitivities that could be acceptable in Indonesia but not in Malaysia and vice-versa, including the aspects of presentation and models used in the advertisements.

-- BERNAMA