Gobind: I’ll make sure RTM is the people's first choice

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo says he will ensure that Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) would move forward and always be the people's first choice for television and radio.

He said he would continue to assist RTM to remain relevant despite new technology and stiff competition.

Gobind said as a national broadcasting station, RTM was an institution that must be maintained even though there were those who thought that it was unnecessary to continue the station.

“There are people from outside who send messages to me, saying that there is no need for us to continue with RTM and I say, ‘No way! RTM is an institution’.

“After 73 years we are still relevant and strong, because RTM staff are still strong.

“You are the heart and soul of RTM. … Prove that we can rise to this challenge,” he said in his speech at the 73rd anniversary celebration of RTM and the launch of the station's news trial channel at Angkasapuri here Monday (April 1).

Gobind said the achievement of RTM over the past seven decades was impressive and outstanding.

As a professional and mature broadcasting organisation, he said RTM had always exhibited results based on experience gained, as well as in compliance with existing laws, rules and procedures.

“As a government department under the Communications and Multimedia Ministry, RTM supports any government policies and also introduces and explains them through radio and television programmes to the community,” he said.

He said RTM has been in the process of transitioning from analogue to digital broadcasting since 2004 and it would be fully digital in High Definition (HD) and Standard Definition (SD) “soon”.

Gobind said starting as a radio channel on April 1, 1946, RTM has expanded its services into 33 national, state and local radio channels.

To ensure RTM does not lag behind, Gobind said the station was implementing its transformation plans in terms of broadcasting and programme services as well as strengthening its work culture in line with the Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0) era.

He said the ministry itself was in the process of providing training sessions for RTM staff to face IR 4.0 and RTM Digital.

“RTM and the ministry often consult with the PSD (Public Service Department) to study the appropriate methods to further improve the career of RTM staff,” he said.

Meanwhile, Gobind said strategic cooperation was also being discussed to further enhance RTM's services, including with the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) and the Information Department to improve the dissemination of information through social media accurately and effectively.

Also present at the event was Department of Broadcasting Malaysia director-general Abdul Muis Shefii.

The event also introduced the new and fresh NASIONALfm, Sentiasa Di Hati, targeting listeners aged between 18 and 50. – Bernama