Kuala Lumpur: The Communications Ministry will continue to prioritize the welfare and needs of media practitioners, including by extending donations and necessary assistance to those facing life's difficulties. Minister Fahmi Fadzi emphasized that this effort includes ensuring that all part-time journalists or stringers can benefit from the Bernama-Socso social protection scheme for self-employed individuals. "InsyaAllah, we will help where appropriate," Fahmi stated to reporters after a breakfast meeting with members of the Kelantan Media Club.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, on August 15 of the previous year, the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) and the Social Security Organisation (Socso) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to extend protection to part-time media practitioners under the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme. This government initiative aims to improve social security protection for media practitioners, who face numerous challenges in their profession.

The scheme is set to benefit 493 registered part-time media practitioners or stringers from 45 media organizations nationwide. Each will receive Socso contributions for one year, amounting to RM232.80 per person, starting from July 1, 2024. Additionally, Fahmi announced that the Malaysian Media Council Bill would be tabled for the second reading in the next Parliament session.

Fahmi expressed his hope for elevating the status of media in Malaysia and making the media sector a sustainable industry capable of self-regulation on certain matters. He stressed the importance of maintaining media freedom, as well as journalistic ethics and professionalism, at a high standard. During the breakfast, the minister also allocated RM10,000 to the Kelantan Media Club for organizing their activities.