GOVT TO CONSIDER SETTING UP BODY TO GOVERN ADS

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29 (Bernama) -- The government is considering a move to set up an enforcement agency to regulate and monitor all local and foreign advertisements on social-cultural aspects.

Deputy minister of Information Communications and Culture, Joseph
Salang said the move was important to the Made-in-Malaysia (MIM) rulings that govern
the codes and practices within the country's TV and advertising sector.

"Ads that featured Asia and Malaysia will be given due consideration in ads that
are made in Malaysia," he told MP Salleh Kalbi at the Lower House of Parliament
here Monday.

Salang said the ministry would not restrict foreign ads and implemented the MIM
to ensure priority was given to local producers and film makers.

One stated goal of MIM certification procedure was to "protect the public and
national interest and MIM was created to reflect government’s responsibility
towards problems of values from the practice of openness without responsibility.

"It is required by law for all TV programmes that are to be aired in Malaysia to
have censorship approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs and a
Made-in-Malaysia (MIM) certificate before they go on air," he said.

As such, the ministry through the National Film Development Corporation (Finas)
would be taking the necessary measures to enhance the current regulations and
ensure that every advertisement that was aired, to have the MIM certification.
-- BERNAMA