Tuesday, August 08, 2006

A Lacklustre Campaign?

Felt that this letter in the New Straits Times last week, asked some very useful questions. (Though couldn't an editor have done something about the very very wonky grammar?)
On Monday, the National Reading Month * had been on for a month. The launching of the reading campaign was done in the usual Malaysian way. A few activities were organised and the campaign was considered done. ... Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, which celebrated its 50th anniversary, must have been busy with its celebrations to have not joined in the lacklustre campaign.

How could we ever successfully become a knowledge society when the campaign was not followed through? Television stations did not play their role to encourage this culture. Except for the programme Resensi Buku on RTM1, there was hardly any promotion.

... It would be good to choose April as the National Reading Month as World Book Day is also in April and we can go all out to make the reading campaign a success. RW"
Okay, let's carry out a little poll ... what impact did National Reading Month 2006 have on your life? Did anyone who reads this blog take part in any activities?

By the way - isn't this just the start of a five-year campaign costing RM40-50 million?

*(Sorry - I tried to find some information about the Reading Month activities online, but couldn't find a link. If anyone has more luck, please let me know.)

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

"...what impact did National Reading Month 2006 have on your life? Did anyone who reads this blog take part in any activities?"

There was a National Reading Month?

Anonymous said...

Same question as sashi's..

Ted Mahsun said...

There's a national reading month every year in July, but there's never enough promotion I guess.

OR! OR!

Maybe they're promoting it in a language we're not reading in...

I don't watch TV but my dad says Resensi Buku is a good program, just that they only review Malay books, I think. Oh, apparently Faisal Tehrani is the host too.

Anonymous said...

I didn't know there was a campaign either. Having this highlighted by some one who writes like "that" is the most tragic thing.

Lydia Teh said...

Sharon, my only "participation" in the Reading Month was reading about Daphne's article in The Star on this subject.

Ted, Resensi does talk about English books. Life's Like That was featured! Of course I had to talk in Malay, good opportunity to polish up the rusty language. The host then was Sayed.

Ted Mahsun said...

Oh really? Whoops! Hehe... I should know better than to talk about something that I haven't even watched eh?

Bah. Who needs TV anyway when there's books to read!

Greenbottle said...

what national reading month? what 40 millions? what for?
what's going on?....

bibliobibuli said...

follow the link, greenbottle, to read what the minister said previously

ted - did not know there was a book programme on RTM! can anyone tell us when it's on? i'm not a great tv watcher either but would make the effort for something like this

Anonymous said...

I wasn't aware there was one actually :P On the other hand there was a book exhibition at MidValley recently, wonder if it was part of the campaign.

Ted Mahsun said...

If I remember correctly, Resensi Buku is shown on Saturday mornings, during Selamat Pagi Malaysia. I think. Better ask Lydia since she's been on the show! hehe

Anonymous said...

heard about the campaign only through daphne's article too.

but i will still be reading, campaign or no campaign.

Lydia Teh said...

Ted, you're right. I don't watch Resensi either but I think most of the books featured are in BM.

Anonymous said...

National Reading what ? :P

Anonymous said...

Knew about it...am already a reader by nature...so am not active in it...impact on my life - zilch...:p