07/07/2026 08:31 PM

Malaysian Media Council Must Be Strengthened, Social Media Platforms Encouraged To Join - Fahmi

JOHOR BAHRU, July 7 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Media Council (MMM) needs to be strengthened as a self-regulatory platform to ensure that the country's media ecosystem continues to grow ethically and responsibly.

Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the government would provide appropriate support during the early stages of the MMM's establishment, while also encouraging more media organisations and social media platforms to join the council.

He said greater membership would enable media-related issues to be addressed more effectively through the industry's own self-regulatory mechanisms.

"We will help the Malaysian Media Council move faster and more vigorously. Appropriate support will be provided in the early years, given that it is a newly established body.

"We will also assist in encouraging more media organisations to become members of the council, so that media-related issues can be managed independently," he said during a press conference after visiting the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) operations centre for the 16th Johor state election here today.

Also present were Bernama chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, Department of Information (JAPEN) director-general Erwin Khairul Ahmad, and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) State Affairs officer Bukhari Yahya.

Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that any complaints against journalists from recognised media organisations would no longer lead to automatic action, but must instead be referred to the MMM in the first instance.

Anwar said the mechanism was established to ensure that any action taken against media practitioners would be conducted in a fairer, more transparent and independent manner, thereby preventing journalists from being subjected to investigations or prosecution without proper scrutiny.

Meanwhile, Fahmi said the participation of social media platforms in MMM is also important, given that challenges related to media content now involve not only media organisations but also the dissemination of information through digital platforms.

He noted that most media organisations adhere to ethical journalistic principles, yet there remains content on social media platforms that is shared without regard for local context or specific sensitivities.

He also cited a recent incident in Banting, where a teenager stabbed a student, and the victim's face as well as details related to police investigations were widely circulated on social media.

"These platforms have their own guidelines, but most do not take into account the Malaysian context. If they were to join the Malaysian Media Council, such issues could be better managed through self-regulatory mechanisms.

"We believe this step can help improve Malaysia's position in the Media Freedom Index," he said.

-- BERNAMA

 

 

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