Answer for Oral Question PT056

QUESTION

Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman

YANG BERHORMAT PEHIN ORANG KAYA INDERA PAHLAWAN DATO SERI SETIA AWANG HAJI SUYOI BIN HAJI OSMAN asks MENTERI DI JABATAN PERDANA MENTERI to state whether RTB can provide sufficient air time to cover economic issues by placing greater focus on news regarding government projects that have been completed, are ongoing and will be implemented so that the people may know the extent to which the planning and projects under Wawasan Brunei 2035 are achieving their targets.

ANSWER

Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

I. Kaola would first like to express gratitude for the question from Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman regarding the question raised by Yang Berhormat, namely whether RTB can provide sufficient air time to cover economic issues.

II. At present, there is no specifically planned scheduled air time for programmes covering economic issues that highlight projects under Wawasan Brunei 2035.

III. However, RTB has TV and radio programmes that feature economic elements, as follows:-

• A total of 45% of news material over one week concerns the economy, compared with 30% of material concerning religion, while the remaining 25% concerns coverage of national events, regional and international news, as well as sports.
• Berita Ekonomi is a special segment featuring the latest issues and developments related to the economy, including market reports, local and international business activities, as well as Government policies. This is broadcast every Monday at 2.30 pm with a duration of 20 minutes.
• As for radio programmes, each radio network out of the five existing radio networks broadcasts on average 45 minutes of air time per week for information related to the economy or finance. The comparison of air time with other sectors is as shown in Table 1 below.

Table 1: Broadcast schedule (allocated air time) (hours/week)

	NUR ISLAM FM	NASIONAL FM	PILIHAN FM	HARMONI FM	PELANGI FM	AVERAGE HOURS / WEEK	AVERAGE MINUTES / WEEK
NEWS	9.8	14	10.5	11.9	9.8	0.83	50
CURRENT AFFAIRS	1.5	1	1	1	0.25	1.50	90
ECONOMY/ FINANCE	0.5	1	1	0.25	1	0.75	45
MOTIVATION	3	1	0.25	1	0.5	0.75	45
RELIGIOUS	4	2	0.25	1	0.5	44.00	2640
DRAMA	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.25	-	2.00	120
ENTERTAINMENT	30	30	30	65	65	44.00	2640
MAGAZINE	0.5	1	1	-	-	0.83	50
EDUCATION	1.5	2	1	-	-	1.50	90
TALKS	3	1	-	-	-	2.00	120
DOCUMENTARY	1	0.5	-	-	-	0.75	45
TALK SHOW	5	1	0.5	-	-	2.17	130
LIVE INTERVIEW	5	5	5	5	5	5.00	300
INSPIRATION	0.5	1	0.25	-	-	0.58	35
HEALTH	0.5	0.5	0.25	-	-	0.42	25
INFOTAINMENT	-	-	-	25	-	25.00	1500
INFO	-	10	10	-	-	10.00	600
FAMILY	1	1	0.25	1	-	0.81	48.75
SPORTS	-	0.5	0.25	1	0.5	0.56	33.75
TOTAL AIRTIME ALLOCATED	67.3	73	62	112.4	82.55

Note: Total broadcast hours do not include repeat broadcasts on Nur Islam FM, Pilihan FM and Nasional FM networks

IV. Jabatan Radio dan Televisyen Brunei broadcasts several economy-themed radio programmes through three main RTB Radio channels as follows:

• Pelangi FM
  • Biz914
  • IBajet
• Nasional FM
  • 2035 (12 episodes)
  • Info Daerah
  • Wacana Belia
• Pilihan FM
  • Wealth Wisdom Wonderland
  • Financial Tips
  • Biz Brunei
  • ASEAN News Headlines
  • 1 Community 1 Nation
  • Entrepreneur Journey

V. In relation to the dissemination of the achievements of Wawasan 2035, RTB also produces a special TV programme entitled “Bual Bicara Liputan Semasa: Ke Arah Wawasan Brunei 2035”, in collaboration with the Wawasan Brunei 2035 Supreme Council. This programme highlights the development, implementation and achievements of Wawasan Brunei for the period 2015 to 2025, and presents data and information from the Wawasan Brunei 2035 Supreme Council and the implementing Ministries and Departments. The programme also includes public views regarding the developments and achievements attained and further increases public awareness. It is broadcast once a month beginning June 2025 at 7:20 pm, over 12 episodes with a duration of 20 minutes each. Recorded broadcasts are also available for repeat viewing through the RTBGo digital platform.

VI. The content in this special programme is also adapted and included as TV and radio news product content using a different approach in several series, subject to the content of the special programme “Bual Bicara Liputan Semasa: Ke Arah Wawasan Brunei 2035”.

VII. In conclusion, based on Table 1 above, it can be concluded that efforts need to be focused on increasing the amount of airtime for the economy/finance subject compared with other subjects such as entertainment, infotainment and religious content. Nevertheless, this increase is also subject to the suitability of programming as well as the availability of other slots, taking into account the needs and priorities of the programmes that will be required later. Certainly, this matter will require coordination and support from relevant agencies such as the Ministry of Finance and Economy, especially in disseminating strategic projects that are the Nation's priority and that have an impact on the public.

That is all that Kaola is able to convey. Thank you.