9 local to 1 foreign song on radio?
Oct 13, 2008 Rantings
I must have missed the story before, but there was an interview today with Commercial Radio Malaysia president Datuk Borhanuddin Osman in the NST.
The interview was to get Borhanuddin’s reaction to Karyawan’s appeal to the Government for a more fair group on privately-owned radio stations. Apparently, in August, the Malaysian Artistes Association’s president Freddie Fernandez had presented a memorandum to the Energy, Water and Communications Minister, appealing for a 9:1 ratio of local to foreign songs.
Aiyo, it’s good to know that it’s not only our politicians who make stupid remarks.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for supporting local artistes. But to listen to nine of their songs before I get to listen to one foreign song? Er, no thanks.
I mean, let’s not even get into the argument of quality. But quantity wise, it just doesn’t make sense. After all, the ratio of musicians around the world is probably hundreds of thousands to one. Even a 1:9 ratio would be too much.
Even Borhanuddin said:
The other industries in Malaysia do not employ a 9:1 local to foreign ratio. Otherwise, 90 per cent of cars, magazines or food sold here would be locally-made.
Other products or consumer services are enjoying the freedom of choice so why should radio listeners be any different?
It’s like saying there can only be one BMW (or Mercedes, or Toyota, or Honda) to five Protons and four Peroduas. Oh, the horror (although, I do love my Waja).
I understand that efforts are being made to find a way to get more local music out there, but I think that organisations like Karyawan should be more creative.
Because I think that if such policies, or worse, legistlations, are put into place, then it will be the users who will get more creative. And the industry will lose out even more.
Already most radios in cars have CD players (so we don’t actually need to listen to the radio) but also, there are so many options. iPods can be transmitted via airwaves to play on your radio quite easily and new phones have features which allow us to listen to foreign radio stations.
But you know what, I’m not even upset. I find this extremely funny. And I think it will be even funnier if the Government actually does implement this.
10.53am Malaysian time (+8 GMT)
October 13th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Niki, this is one ridiculous or stupid proposal from our pathethic entertainment scene. Read my piece on “support Malaysian Artistes”.
October 15th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Yawn. Wont be affected much by it. I hardly listen to radio anyway. I get my music from the Internet. Fresh, uncensored and “free”.