MINISTER PROPOSES TV, RADIO ADs TO BE SCREENED BY MCMC

KUALA KLAWANG (Malaysia), Sept 7 (Bernama) -- Information Communication and
Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim has proposed that radio and television
commercials to be screened before they go on air to avoid cultural, religious
and racial discord.

He said this was in the wake of criticisms on a TV3 Aidilfitri
advertisement, which displayed a flying trishaw, lotus and lamps which
purportedly incorporated elements of Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism into
the Islamic festival.

TV3 has since cancelled the controversial advertisement and apologised for
hurting the feelings of its Muslim viewers.

Speaking to reporters after breaking fast with orphans, single mothers and
the poor at Kampung Gagu Mosque here Monday, he said monitoring of the content
of radio and television commercials was under the jurisdiction of the Malaysian
Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

Rais said when commercials were not screened, the content would be
overlooked by authorities.


He said the monitoring would entail the setting up of a committee involving
advertisers, radio and television stations, and newspaper with the commercials
subjected to approval from the MCMC.

"We will determine the values, standards and regulations. So far there are
no such guidelines for radio and tv commercials except for motion pictures and
drama.

"That is why we also see billboards in topsy-turvy condition all over the
country. They are placed in places they should not have been displayed in the
first place.

"This happened because the permits are approved by local authorities. This
is a big problem as they clouded our sight," he said.

Kuala Klawang is a small town in Negeri Sembilan, one of the 13 states that
constitutes Malaysia. It is located on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia,
just south of Kuala Lumpur and is bordered in the north by Selangor

-- BERNAMA