Monday April 17, 2006
Society’s watchdog
The new season of Edisi Siasat and Edisi Siasat Mandarin takes on a more dynamic approach, writes SHEELA CHANDRAN.
NTV7’S investigative news reporting programmes Edisi Siasat and Edisi Siasat Mandarin have returned with a new season, promising more content, while maintaining its core values of balanced and bold reporting.
To spice things up, Edisi Siasat now has a new tagline – Without Fear and Favour– and a new compere, Mazlina Abu Bakar. She replaces Wan Kamaruddin Wan Ibrahim.
Edisi Siasat producer Nurfaiezah Hassan explained that Ntv7 had been searching for a suitable replacement since Wan Kamaruddin’s resignation a few months back. “Mazlina is a refreshing change. Although new in this industry, she is versatile and hardworking,” said Nurfaiezah.
Despite being a relatively fresh face on TV, the 32-year-old host is no stranger to the broadcasting scene. Before becoming host of Edisi Siasat, the trained optometrist helmed educational programmes including RTM1’s Fokus Kesihatan and Menuju Bintang and Astro TV Pendidikan’s Generasi Cemerlang – Pendidikan Sivik dan Kewarganegaraan. She also had a part in RTM1’s drama Tukang Urut.
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Hosts of Ntv7’s Edisi Siasat, Mazlina Abu Bakar (left), and Edisi Siasat Mandarin, Tan Ean Nee. |
Simiarly, Edisi Siasat Mandarin, the Chinese version of the show hosted by Tan Ean Nee, also has a bolder tagline – Analyse Objectively, Prevail the Truth. The programme covers issues affecting the Chinese community.
Edisi Siasat and Edisi Siasat Mandarin are aired on Sundays at 8.30pm and Saturdays at 6pm, respectively.
Tan, 30, who is also the station’s Mandarin news presenter, said: “The programme continues to serve its role as the community watchdog. Not only will we highlight environment issues but topics related to corruption and prostitution as well. Topics to be featured include fake medical certificates and pollution in Rawang.”
Edisi Siasat made its debut in September 2002 after its inception as a two-minute segment called Investigative Reporting Unit in news bulletin Edisi 7. The show later expanded to 30-minute programme aired on weekends at 8pm.
In June 2003, Ntv7 launched the Mandarin version of Edisi Siasat, which carries Bahasa Malaysia subtitles. Both the Malay and Mandarin versions have almost similar content.
The difference is that Edisi Siasat Mandarin will include issues related to the Chinese community, culture and tradition. Edisi Siasat Mandarin clinched the Best TV Magazine award in the recent Anugerah Seri Angkasa 2005.
Nurfaiezah explained that three episodes on illicit massage parlours, illegal Myanmar immigrants and Road Transport Department (JPJ) officers who carry guns, have been recorded so far. “Most of our stories are based on public complaints, on which we will conduct a thorough follow-up.”
According to the station’s chief executive officer Amrin Awaluddin, both programmes will explore social problems, health, education and human rights issues involving government agencies. He stressed that these programmes aren’t your run-of-the mill type.
“Viewers can expect a broader perspective, unlike the past seasons which was only limited to crime-related topics.”
Catch Edisi Siasat Mandarin (Saturdays at 6pm) and Edisi Siasat (Sundays at 8.30pm) on Ntv7.
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