A web broadcasting company RadiqRadio.com was officially launched today, marking the presence of another member in the family of independent domestic news organisations on the Internet.

However, RadiqRadio is not only accessible through the Internet but also conventional radios through a partnership with 68H, an Indonesia-based news service network which currently delivers content to some 220 radio stations in the archipelago.

According to 68H director-in-chief Santoso, only certain parts in Malaysia which are close to its transmitters such as Johor Baru, Kuching and Sandakan can now receive RadiqRadio 's programme using conventional radio.

But he said residents in Kuala Lumpur could tune into RadiqRadio in two weeks' time as several radio stations in middle of Sumatra have decided to carry its programmes.

On an average day, RadiqRadio produces five items, including news and features. The length of each production is about 15 minutes.

These productions are currently supplied to three Indonesian stations - RadioKei in Batam, and Radio Katara and Radio Dermaga in East and West Kalimantan respectively.

Stifling government regulation

RadiqRadio editor board member and co-founder Kean Wong said the company was set up because the local broadcasting industry at large was not fully utilised to produce its best.

"Malaysia has a remarkable array of sound and vision as well as an interesting political landscape.

"Unfortunately the radio we have has failed to capture all these due to stifling government regulations on the media," said Wong at the launching ceremony at a hotel in Petaling Jaya.

In recent years, due to strict media legislation such as the Printing Presses and Publications Act and the Broadcasting Act, many have resorted to the Internet for publishing and broadcasting, particularly on political issues.

The government had previously promised that there will be no censorship on the Internet as part of an effort to lure investors into the Multimedia Super Corridor, a local digital technology hub to promote greater use of the Internet and other multimedia-related products and services.

Co-founder and editor Sharad Kuttan said RadiqRadio does not have a specific group of audience in terms of age or economic background but hopes to reach as many people as possible.

"We basically target the Malay-English speaking audience," said Sharaad, who added that the uniqueness and strength of the Internet radio lies in its sound bites.

"It is not just reading the text. The special thing about RadiqRadio is listening, that's the real joy," he said.

No problems

Sharaad said despite several of their journalists being barred from attending ministerial press conferences on a few occasions, the company "has no problems with the authorities".

RadiqRadio currently has two editorial board members, one editor, six journalists, an audio technician and an administrator.

Claiming a total of 30,000 hits a month since it started operating in June, RadiqRadio is a project managed by the Centre for Investigative Journalism through seed capital provided by 68H.

After the launch, an one-hour forum on the future of electronic media was held.

The panelists included news portal Agenda Daily editor-in-chief Rozaid A Rahman, Voices Across Asia Netcaster chief executive officer Damien Ong-Yeoh, 68H radio station director-in-chief Santoso and Pustaka Cipta publishing manager Rosihan Zain Baharudin.