Kuala lumpur: Newly appointed Malaysian Media Council (MMC) chairman Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan believes her decades of experience in the judiciary will help the council build credibility, safeguard its independence and earn public trust. Addressing questions over why a former judge was chosen to lead a self-regulatory media body, Nallini said the council's effectiveness would depend not on authority, but on its ability to command confidence through fairness and independence.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nallini stated, "I am not a journalist. I have never run a newsroom, closed a front page or worked to a news desk deadline," during the Media Dialogue Session with Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. However, the former Federal Court judge emphasized that her experience on the Bench equipped her with the skills needed to safeguard the council's independence, ensure fair processes, and uphold public confidence in its decisions.
Nallini highlighted that the Malaysian Media Council Act specifically requires its chairperson to be independent of politics, the civil service, and the legislature, underscoring the necessity for a neutral figure capable of earning the trust of all stakeholders. While editors and journalists remain the experts in reporting and newsroom operations, she noted that the council's role was to strengthen the ecosystem through credible standards, effective complaints mechanisms, and fair dispute resolution.
Looking ahead, Nallini outlined her key priorities for the council, focusing on establishing foundational structures built on principles of fairness and accountability. She emphasized the importance of the quality and fairness of the council's processes, including the code, complaints mechanism, and the manner in which decisions are reached and explained. She described this phase as the "constitution-writing phase" of the institution, stressing the importance of getting the foundations right to ensure the Council's standing.
Nallini also addressed the principle that a free media must be a responsible one, protected from pressure, harassment, misuse, and manipulation. She asserted that freedom and responsibility are complementary and essential to maintaining trust. The council has identified three immediate priorities: establishing a complaints and adjudication framework, expanding membership across the industry, and addressing challenges like fabricated content and the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI).
She stressed that the council's independence is demonstrated through its actions and decisions and not merely declared in speeches. Independence, she said, is shown by whom the council is willing to disagree with, setting the standard for the Council's accountability.
Nallini concluded by emphasizing that the council's complaints mechanism should not become a tool for silencing journalists. She stated that strong reporting challenging those in power and asking difficult questions is crucial for a free press, and the Council must ensure that upholding standards does not discourage necessary journalism for democracy.
The dialogue session, held in conjunction with the National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) 2026 celebration, was attended by Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah, deputy secretary-general (Strategic Communications and Creative Industry) Datuk Bahria Mohd Tamil, as well as senior management from local media organizations.