Kuala lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed the need to bolster the Malaysian Media Council (MMM) to ensure greater media freedom, according to Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. Fahmi, who also serves as the MADANI Government spokesman, revealed that the Prime Minister communicated this directive during a phone call last night.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Prime Minister reached out to Fahmi at midnight to discuss the importance of reinforcing the MMM. Fahmi shared these insights with the media following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Zchwantech Group and Magna AI. The Prime Minister's statement aligns with the government's readiness to provide a more open space for media freedom, including the possibility of reviewing related laws to match the nation's evolving maturity.

Fahmi elaborated on the government's commitment by highlighting the introduction of a Media Innovation Fund. This initiative aims to support media companies and organizations in adapting to sudden changes such as the decline in advertising revenue and challenges in employee productivity due to technological advancements. Further discussions with the MMM are planned to address the actual needs of media practitioners and guide the industry's future direction.

Efforts are underway to establish an office for the MMM, which will serve as the starting point for examining and refining its role comprehensively. One of the primary issues identified is the discrepancy between news headlines and content, raising concerns about journalistic ethics. Fahmi emphasized the need for improvements in this area, particularly noting differences between field reports and edited content.

The MMM, established under the Malaysian Media Council Act effective June 14, 2025, is an independent body designed to act as a self-regulatory mechanism for the media industry. Its primary role is to promote journalistic ethics and media freedom across the country.