Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian Media Council (MMM) welcomes the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's statement that complaints involving journalists from recognised media organisations should first be referred to the Council before any further action is taken.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, MMM said the Prime Minister's remark reinforces the role of independent media self-regulation and supports a fair, transparent, and professional process for addressing concerns relating to journalism while upholding both media freedom and accountability.
'MMM regards it as an important recognition of the Council's role as an independent self-regulatory body for Malaysia's media industry, consistent with its mandate to strengthen media freedom, raise professional journalism standards, promote responsible media ethics, and provide a fair, independent and transparent complaints mechanism based on clear procedures,' it said in a statement.
As a self-regulatory institution, MMM said it did not intend to replace the role of the courts or law enforcement agencies, but rather to ensure that disputes relating to journalistic practice, media ethics, accuracy of reporting, the right of reply, corrections, unfair media treatment, and matters of public interest are addressed through an appropriate, professional, and proportionate process.
MMM emphasises that journalists and media organisations remain subject to the laws of Malaysia. 'However, where complaints concern journalistic practice and media work, action against journalists should not be initiated automatically solely because a complaint has been lodged by any party. Such complaints should first undergo a review process that takes into account the context of journalism, the role of the media in a democratic society, and the media's responsibilities to the public,' it said.
MMM said this approach is essential to ensure that journalists are not subjected to arbitrary pressure, investigations, or punitive measures. At the same time, it ensures that individuals and organisations affected by media reporting have access to a legitimate and structured avenue to seek clarification, responses, corrections, or appropriate remedies.
Through MMM's complaints mechanism, members of the public, organisations, government authorities, and any party affected by media reporting may submit complaints to the Council. Complaints received will first be assessed by the Secretariat to determine whether they fall within MMM's jurisdiction and involve matters relating to journalism or media practice.
Where appropriate, MMM may refer the matter to the relevant media organisation for a response, clarification, or corrective action. If the complaint cannot be resolved at the preliminary stage, it may proceed to further assessment under the Council's Code of Conduct and recognised principles of journalism.
'This mechanism is not intended to shield the media from accountability. Rather, it is designed to ensure that media accountability is exercised through a proper, independent, transparent, and balanced process. Media freedom and media responsibility should not be viewed as competing principles; instead, they should be strengthened together,' it said.
MMM said it also took note that the Prime Minister's statement was made in the context of concerns regarding Malaysia's standing in the World Press Freedom Index. In this regard, MMM calls upon all stakeholders, including government agencies, politicians, public institutions, civil society organisations, and members of the public, to utilise the Council's complaints mechanism whenever disputes or issues arise concerning media reporting.
'A culture of resolving media disputes through professional processes should be strengthened in place of a tendency to resort to public pressure, threats, harassment, or punitive measures. MMM remains committed to working closely with the Government, Parliament, media organisations, civil society, and the public to ensure that this approach is implemented effectively, independently, and in a manner consistent with the interests of Malaysia's democratic system,' it added.