We want good quality Sarawak content, says TV expert to Curtin media students

Miri – 4 October 2022 – When it comes to programming on television, quality is king, said Sarawak Media Group (SMG) content acquisition and distribution senior executive Ryan Lee during a ‘See You on TVS’ webinar he conducted for 40 media students of Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) recently.

Lee, who curates content for TV Sarawak (TVS), said television has higher demands in terms of content compared to social media platforms.

“Filmmakers who have good ideas for content should always engage a professional production team to assist them,” he said.

The hybrid webinar was part of the industry webinar series initiated by the Department of Media and Communication of Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences under its strategic engagement plan.

Lee advises young filmmakers who aim to venture into the film or broadcasting industries to start creating content and set their short-term and long-term goals clearly.

“Do not be afraid of failure. You should start creating content now and be as original and creative as possible,” he said.

He said TVS is always on the lookout for Sarawak content creators to produce good quality content that can help promote Sarawak’s unique culture and identity to the world.

When asked about employment opportunities for international or Peninsula Malaysia graduates in Sarawak, Lee said TVS welcomes all talents no matter where they are from.

“If you are willing to work in Sarawak, we welcome you.”

Department of Media and Communication programme coordinator Dr. Ngu Ik Ying said her department is looking forward to collaborating with TVS on both programming and news projects to enhance the students’ learning experience.

“We are excited that TVS is coming to Miri. Their presence will help in building a vibrant film or creative community here in northern Sarawak,” she remarked.

Meanwhile, corporate screen and journalism major student Kenneth Liau said the webinar was most insightful and he learned a lot about the complex process of content acquisition by television stations, as well as the challenges in dealing with government regulations, and being conscious of cultural and religious sensitivities.

“Ryan runs his own YouTube channel, and surprisingly is from a finance background. His passion for creating creative content inspired me to be a content creator too. I have started seeing TV beyond the lens of a typical audience as a result,” said Liau.

Sarawak is the first state in the country to have its own state-owned television channel following the launch of TVS by Sarawak Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud in October 2020. The linear digital television channel, which provides news and programming to viewers nationwide via Astro and myFreeview, is owned by Sarawak Media Group (SMG), which was established in April 2018. It also provides a platform for Sarawak content creators to showcase their content and promote local content to the world.

Curtin Malaysia offers Curtin’s three-year Bachelor of Communications which helps students develop skills and knowledge in two or more related fields of study at the intersection of media, business, design and new communications technologies.

It offers contextual study of the history, theory, ethics and criticism of the various practices, institutions and discourses in media, communication and information. Fundamental skills and knowledge for work in the corporate media and information field is provided with considerable breadth of expertise.

The course is technology-centred and gives students real opportunities to work with commercial-level equipment and produce real work for print, film and television. It also provides ample opportunities for practical learning and exposure to industry practices to help students build their portfolio of work experience and engage with industry professionals.

Currently, students have a choice of five specialisations in the Bachelor of Communications, namely, Corporate Screen Communication, Journalism, Web Media, Marketing and Public Relations.

Graduates of the course can find employment in a wide range of industries as public relations officers, market researchers, journalists, advertising account executives, communications officers, filmmakers, cinematographers, producers, editors, video editors, scriptwriters, Internet analysts, online marketers, digital content creators, marketing officers, web designers/developers, and more.

For more information on the Bachelor of Communications, go to https://courses.curtin.edu.my/courses-and-study/undergraduate/humanities-health-sciences/communications/.

Information on Curtin Malaysia can be found on its website at www.curtin.edu.my, or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn or Tik-Tok.

The students posing for photo with Dr. Ngu (6th right, third row), corporate screen lecturer Mr. Muhamad Farid Abdul Rahman (first row, standing) and speaker Ryan Lee on screen in the background