Kuala Lumpur: The Malaysian Media Council (MMC) Bill 2024, passed in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, will enable the media in the country to carry out their duties more effectively, says Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil. He stated that the self-regulation concept in the Bill signals that the media industry in Malaysia is independent, ensuring that the people’s right to free speech remains unrestricted.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fahmi highlighted the potential of the MMC to curb the spread of fake news. He emphasized the importance of journalistic ethics, expressing hope that the council would uphold these standards. “If the government were to enforce it, it might seem like a restriction. But if the industry itself sets the standard for journalism, determined by the industry itself, I see this as more sustainable and better for media freedom in Malaysia,” he said.

Fahmi further mentioned that he would address several related matters, with announcements expected during the National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) celebration scheduled for June. He noted the financial challenges faced by many media companies, stating, “The current issue faced by many media companies is profitability and financial challenges, which are business-related issues. These are some of the matters I will follow up on.”

Following the passage of the Bill, Fahmi met with the Protem Committee that helped draft the Bill and the Editors-in-Chief group. He informed them of ongoing initiatives aimed at providing support and assistance to Malaysian media companies, which he hopes to unveil during HAWANA in June.

The Dewan Rakyat’s passage of the MMC Bill 2024 is aimed at safeguarding media freedom and ensuring that society receives accurate, credible, and fair information.