Radio Televisyen Malaysia (Radio Televisyen Malaysia, RTM) is Malaysia’s public broadcaster. Radio Malaya was established in 1946. In 1963, upon the formation of the Malaysian state, Radio Malaya was renamed Radio Malaysia. In the same year, Television Malaysia was established. In 1969, the radio and television broadcasters were merged. RTM currently operates three television channels and a network of over 30 radio channels, both nationally and regionally.
Media assets
Television: TV1, TV2, TV Okey, Berita RTM, Sukan RTM, TV6, Dewan Rakyat, Dewan Negara
Radio: National- Radio Klasik, Nasional FM, Asyik FM, TraXX FM, Ai FM, Minnal FM; Regional- KL FM, Selangor FM, Sabah V FM, Sarawak FM, Labuan FM, Kedah FM, Kelantan FM, Terengganu FM, Pahang FM, Johor FM, Negeri FM, Perak FM, Mutiara FM, Perlis FM, Melaka FM, Sabah FM; Local- Wai FM, Red FM, Langkawi FM, Limbang FM, Miri FM, Sri Aman FM, Bintulu FM, Sibu FM, Sandakan FM, Tawau FM, Keningau FM
State Media Matrix Typology: State-Controlled (SC)
Ownership and governance
RTM is a government department under the Ministry of Communications. RTM was established in accordance with the Communications and Multimedia Act of 1998 (also known in Malaysia as the Broadcasting Act). The Ministry of Communications has the authority to appoint the top management of RTM. RTM is headquartered at the Ministry of Communications.
Source of funding and budget
RTM is financed through an allocation from the state budget. However, the broadcaster also generates revenue through the sale of advertising and sponsorship. All revenue generated is remitted to the government.
In 2022, RTM had a budget of MYR 322.7m (US$ 71.7m), according to a report from the Ministry of Communications.
Editorial independence
As a government department operated by the Communications Ministry, RTM is responsible for providing support to government policies and for introducing and explaining these policies to the public through radio and television programs.
The 1988 Broadcasting Act is a major piece of legislation in Malaysian broadcasting, conferring significant authority upon the government to determine the content of programs produced in the country’s public media. In interviews conducted in March 2024, journalists and experts highlighted that public officials frequently engage with RTM’s management to ascertain the topics to be covered.
To date, no statute or oversight mechanism that would validate the independence of RTM has been identified.
September 2024