Kuala Lumpur: The new regulatory framework for Malaysia's media industry, scheduled to be announced on June 14, seeks to encourage greater self-regulation and active engagement within the media community, with the primary objective of rebuilding public trust and reinforcing journalism's vital role in nation-building.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Premesh Chandran, pro-tem chairman of the Malaysian Media Council (MMC), stated that the framework is part of a wider initiative to advance freedom of the press while ensuring accountability through a comprehensive code of ethics and inclusive governance. He noted that the framework is anchored in the Media Council Bill, recently passed in Parliament, and is expected to be announced during the National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) celebration.
On Tuesday, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil mentioned that developments regarding the MMC are anticipated to be announced during the HAWANA 2025 celebration on June 14. Premesh explained that the council unites three key sectors: media owners, media professionals, including editors and journalists, and other stakeholders such as academics, civil society, and consumer groups, allowing for a comprehensive perspective on the industry's future.
He highlighted the council's core functions, including advising the government, recommending media law reforms, and developing a code of ethics to promote professionalism and sustainability within the industry. According to Premesh, the new framework adopts a more consultative approach compared to existing laws like the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, prioritizing incentives over punitive measures.
Under the new approach, media outlets adhering to the council's code of ethics would receive access to grants and other benefits, shifting from control-based policies to incentive-based support. Premesh emphasized the council's establishment and the new framework's timing as crucial, considering the media landscape's challenges with digital disruption, misinformation, and eroding public trust.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) deputy managing director Datuk Zurkarnain Mohd Yasin highlighted the regulatory framework as an opportunity to enhance oversight and promote shared standards, while also emphasizing the need to address implementation gaps. He noted that raising awareness of digital risks is as important as drafting regulations and must be integrated into the broader framework.
Zurkarnain addressed potential overlaps between the MCMC and MMC, stressing the need for collaboration and harmonization to prevent duplication. He mentioned that the MCMC, the Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia (CMCF), and relevant stakeholders had jointly developed the Content Code to ensure consistency and embed ethical principles throughout the media industry.
HAWANA 2025, themed Journalism in the New Era: Embracing AI, Safeguarding Ethics, will be held at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur from June 13 to 15. The main celebration, on June 14, will be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Organized by the Communications Ministry with Bernama as the implementing agency, it is expected to draw over 1,000 local and foreign media practitioners.