The Information Communication and Culture Ministry is to review the content, presentation and frequency of RTM news, documentary and radio programmes delivered in the Tamil language to make them more effective to the Indian community.

Minister Rais Yatim said today a panel of observers would be set up to interact with the ministry and provide its views from time to time on the content and presentation of the programmes.

He said this was an effort to ensure that all the programmes encompassed the welfare, significance, achievement and aspirations of the Indian community.

"I agree that the content of the news and coverage of a cosmopolitan population, particularly the Indian community, should be given the proper treatment," he told reporters after MIC president G Palanivel had called on him at his office.

Rais said the activities of leaders and members of the Indian community would be presented in a more attractive manner in accordance with community development.

"For example, some members of the Indian community have been successful in agriculture. We should disseminate this news so that they become models for the community," he said.

Meanwhile, Palanivel said he hoped that the ministry could consider his request to provide a second TV news slot in Tamil on RTM. Tamil news is currently aired at 7.30 pm.

He also said that it was hoped that all the suggestions put forward could be implemented as soon as possible in the interests of the Indian community in the country.

- Bernama