Kuala lumpur: Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil today highlighted three key calls to action for the public relations and communications community, namely to raise professional standards, embrace transparency, and elevate Malaysia's image on the global stage. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Global Public Relations Conference and Festival (GPRCF) Malaysia 2025, he emphasized the importance of expanding mentorship, strengthening ethics, and collaborating with universities to nurture tech-savvy and empathetic communicators, with the ministry ready to support such initiatives.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fahmi outlined the necessity for transparency, urging professionals to disclose synthetic content, acknowledge incomplete data, and guide the public through changing facts to build credibility rooted in honesty. He also called for showcasing Malaysia globally through communications as a form of soft power, portraying the nation as progressive, inclusive, and confident.
Fahmi underscored that the government's approach to online safety regulation is guided by clarity and accountability, focusing on protecting the public sphere rather than policing speech. He highlighted the importance of clear rules that allow citizens, creators, and companies to act confidently, empowering informed decision-making.
The minister also discussed the Malaysian Media Council and the Online Safety Act 2024 as vital frameworks for combating misinformation and disinformation and strengthening media integrity. The Malaysian Media Council, established under the Malaysian Media Council Act 2025, functions as an independent self-regulatory body promoting responsible reporting and enhancing public confidence in the media.
Complementing this, the Online Safety Act 2024 mandates online safety measures to curb harmful content, requiring clear labeling of AI-generated materials and protecting vulnerable users, particularly children. Fahmi reiterated the ministry's commitment to engaging industry partners and civil society in these efforts.
Earlier, the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, officiated the inaugural three-day conference organized by the Public Relations Practitioners Society of Malaysia (PRactitioners), which brings together over 500 communication leaders, media professionals, policymakers, and academics from Malaysia and abroad. PRactitioners Malaysia Chairman and GPRCFMY Organising Chairperson Datuk P. Kamalanathan highlighted the conference's role in redefining the communications industry through trust, ethics, and empathy, emphasizing the unifying and inspiring power of purposeful and integrity-driven communication.