KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 19 — The problems afflicting the Bernama TV television station which have yet to be fully resolved has led to its Tamil news broadcasts unable to be aired.
Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) general manager Datuk Zulkefli Salleh said efforts were being made to resolve BernamaTV’s problems.
“For now, short-term solutions have been achieved. Long-term solutions might take a little more time,” he said.
MIC Youth chief Sivarraajh Chandra (pic) had asked for clarification on the matter saying loyal followers of BernamaTV’s Tamil news broadcasts were disappointed over the segment’s absence.
Zulkefli also said that the salaries of BernamaTV staff for January had been paid and for February, the salaries would also be paid as had been promised.
He also stressed that in order to ensure that the BernamaTV issue would not prolong, the entity was taking proactive measures to cut its cost of operation.
BernamaTV was established in 2008 to manage the 24-hour news channel, with Bernama holding 33 per cent of the equity in BernamaTV Synergy Sdn Bhd, the joint-venture company which set up BernamaTV.
BernamaTV has been facing serious financial woes as the company’s income is insufficient to cover the cost of operation, including to pay salaries of its staff.
On Feb 9, BernamaTV’s operation was disrupted as some of its staff refused to turn up for work following the failure of the company managing the television station to pay their January salaries.
On Feb 12, Communication and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek convened a meeting with approximately 100 staff of BernamaTV to discuss the problems and the future of the television channel.
— BERNAMA
