Kuala Lumpur: The enactment of the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) Act represents a pivotal moment for Malaysia’s media landscape, aiming to bolster media integrity, said Datuk Yong Soo Heong, the president of the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI). Speaking at the HAWANA 2025 Forum, Yong emphasized that the MMC Bill, which was passed by Parliament this year, is the result of extensive deliberations intended to establish a self-regulatory body that empowers media practitioners while ensuring accountability.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Yong stated, “This Act is designed to safeguard journalistic integrity, promote fair reporting, and provide a structured mechanism for addressing public concerns about media practices.” Also in attendance were MPI chief executive officer Ainol Amriz Ismail, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, and Bernama editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, who also serves as the National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) 2025 project director.
Yong expressed gratitude to Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching, and former minister Gobind Singh Deo for their dedication to championing the Act. He noted that the legislation is designed to reinforce ethical standards and restore public trust in journalism, while providing media professionals with the autonomy to self-regulate.
Addressing the increasing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in journalism, Yong acknowledged its potential to enhance newsroom operations but warned against excessive reliance on technology. “While AI presents exciting opportunities, it must be adopted judiciously. Journalism is not merely about data processing; it is about human judgment, investigative rigour, and ethical responsibility,” he remarked.
Yong stressed that AI should complement, not replace, journalists, and highlighted the challenge of responsibly integrating the technology to enhance media credibility and effectiveness without compromising core journalistic values.
The HAWANA 2025 Forum, held at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre (WTCKL), focused on the topic “Malaysian Media Council: Regulator or Media Protector?” and included a technology-sharing session titled “AI and Media: Tool, Threat or Opportunity?” Jointly organized by Bernama and MPI, the forum provided a key platform for the Pro tem Committee of the Malaysian Media Council (MMM) to discuss the industry’s future following the approval of the MMC Bill 2024 in Parliament.
Themed “Journalism in the New Era: Embracing AI, Safeguarding Ethics,” HAWANA 2025 is the largest gathering of Malaysian media practitioners. The event, organized by the Communications Ministry through Bernama as the implementing agency, will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at WTCKL around noon today.