BERNAMA |
27 July 2004 |
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Code of Content Receives Approval For Implementation
KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 (Bernama) -- Code of content for
communication and multimedia has been approved by the
Ministry of Energy, Water and Communications early this
month, and is set for implementation soon.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng
Yaik said the code of content for communication and multi
media which takes in the guidelines on the content of
violence and sex as well as local content, would be used
among various related players, including advertisers and
free-to-all tv stations.
"I have signed the code of content on
July 7," he told a press conference after making a visit
to All Asia Broadcast Centre (ASTRO) here.
Dr Lim said discussions on the matter
has been done three years ago, under the former Ministry
of Energy, Communications and Multimedia with inputs from
several other ministries and agencies.
Among other parties involved were Information
Ministry, Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM), Ministry
of Home Affairs, Health Ministry, Ministry of Finance,
Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, Women,
Family and Development Ministry as well as Malaysian Communications
and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
Dr Lim said the ministry, through MCMC,
would monitor the full implementation of the code of content
and would take stern action against any breaches of the
code.
"Breaching of this code means action
would be taken against the industry player, while repeat
offenders will definitely put their licence under jeopardy,"
he said.
Meanwhile, for pay tv ASTRO, Dr Lim
said that although ASTRO's licence gave them exemption
from the Censorship Board as it was subjected to its own
regulations on censorship based on the guidelines given
by the Home Ministry.
He said that ASTRO will study the content
code and bring it together with their own guidelines.
On Made in Malaysia (MIM) content in
advertisement which was under FINAS, Dr Lim said all contents
should get the approval from the body, and they should
be proven successful in helping local companies to create
more Malaysia content in advertisements.
Dr Lim admitted that much need to be
resolved particularly on the standards used by FINAS as
well as the implementation policy.
To a question on additional pay tv stations,
in addition to the existing Astro and MiTV, which is set
to be launched in December, Dr Lim said besides the two
stations, there were no additional applications for pay
TV licences.
Asked on a change from analog to digital
tv, Dr Lim said although the country was looking towards
the new development, it would take at least, another 10
years before Malaysia could fully migrate to digital.
- BERNAMA |
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