Kuala Lumpur: The formation of the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) following the approval of the Malaysian Media Council Bill 2024 by the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday, February 26, is an essential step towards protecting journalists’ rights and enhancing the media industry’s professionalism. Editors and academics in Sabah are of the view that MMC is vital for enhancing journalism ethics and practices nationwide while promoting the media industry’s growth, particularly in the East Malaysian state.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Utusan Borneo Sabah editor-in-chief Datuk Lichong Angkui stated that the MMC can protect journalists from unfair legal actions while they carry out their duties. He noted that journalists frequently face safety risks, legal threats, and harassment, and the MMC can offer a framework to safeguard journalists’ rights, including protecting confidential sources.
Lichong, a member of the Council of Administrators of Ikatan Setiakawan Wartawan Malaysia-Indonesia (ISWAMI), emphasized that the MMC will serve as a platform to nurture, promote, and reinforce journalism ethics and professionalism in the local media industry. He expressed optimism that MMC will contribute to the government’s initiatives to enhance digital and social media, and hoped for equal attention to digital media platforms alongside traditional media.
Daily Express editor-in-chief Datuk James Sarda remarked that the MMC is long overdue and could have previously helped resolve situations where media outlets faced misunderstandings with authorities. He attributed the delay to journalists’ inability to agree on terms of reference or funding, highlighting the media’s role as the fourth estate, serving alongside the legislature, executive, and judiciary.
Sarda commended the MADANI government’s effort in establishing the MMC but stressed the need for the council to act as a neutral arbiter when handling grievances. He also advocated for individual representatives from Sabah and Sarawak in the MMC, noting the distinct issues faced by these regions compared to Peninsular Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Dr Haryati Abdul Karim, a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), stated that the MMC would enhance journalism standards, leading to more effective news delivery. She highlighted the importance of objective reporting that focuses on public concerns over political issues.
Dr Intan Soliha Ibrahim, another senior lecturer from UMS, believes the formation of MMC is a comprehensive approach to ensuring adherence to journalism ethics. She emphasized the potential for the council to address misleading information in news reports, ensuring clear communication of the actual message to the public.
UMS Assoc Prof Dr Lee Kuok Tiung underscored the importance of having representatives from Sabah and Sarawak in the MMC to adequately represent media practitioners in these states. He stressed that such representation would eliminate perceptions of MMC being influenced by specific interests, ensuring the public receives authentic and reliable information.