Wednesday, February 10, 2010

November 24, 2009 17:51 PM

Bernama TV Will Be More Viable Under New Management, Dewan Rakyat Told

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 (Bernama) -- Bernama TV will be a more viable entity under a new management which is taking over operations of the 24-hour news channel, the Dewan Rakyat was told Tuesday.

Deputy Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Joseph Salang said several changes would be made to get more advertisers to buy Bernama TV airtime.

He said it was hoped that Bernama TV's new shareholders would make a success of the 24-hour TV channel so that it would not be saddled with debts.

"With strong finance, this entity will be more flexible in airing programmes needed for nation building," he said in response to a question by Datuk Raime Unggi (BN-Tenom) who wanted to know Bernama TV's role in realising the government's development and unity agenda, especially the 1Malaysia concept.

Salang said Bernama TV would provide an additional channel, besides TV3 and RTM, as well as fill the vacuum for a provider of a 24-hour television channel for news and information to the people.

"The present society wants accurate and fast information or news. Through Bernama TV, they don't have to wait for certain times to get the latest news," he added.

He said Bernama TV would play its role in promoting the government's development agenda, as well as strengthen the 1 Malaysia concept.

"News which is sensational and provocative in nature will not be given space because it will affect the objectives of 1Malaysia," he added.

To a question by Salahuddin Ayub (PAS-Kubang Kerian) on the losses incurred by Bernama TV, Salang said it was because its operational cost was higher than the advertising revenue.

- BERNAMA

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