Malaysia Media Council Act Seen As Boost To Journalism Standards

KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Media Council (MMC) Act, which takes effect today, has been welcomed by journalists as a long-anticipated step toward strengthening professionalism and integrity in the country’s media landscape.

Following the announcement of the council’s 12-member founding board, media practitioners expressed hope that the body would serve as more than symbolic reform, offering real direction for the industry.

Mohamad Athir Ismail of Utusan Malaysia in Selangor said the council’s formation affirms its role as an accreditation body for journalists and photojournalists, similar to professional regulators like the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC), the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) and the Malaysian Institute of Accountants.

“This is crucial to ensuring the accuracy of information and the credibility of sources, especially in countering the spread of misinformation on social media,” he said.

He added that the council could also offer protection to media professionals and outlets facing legal or public scrutiny over their reporting, whether in print or digital formats.

Mohd Yunus Yakkub of Kosmo! Selangor said the council could serve as a springboard for greater press freedom, provided it maintains independence.

“I hope it won’t become another instrument of control. It should also help guide journalists in producing more responsible reporting,” he said.

Nor Ainna Hamzah, from Kosmo! Negeri Sembilan described the initiative as timely, given the mounting pressures on journalistic integrity.

She welcomed the appointment of media practitioners to the board, saying their industry experience would help shape ethical and governance standards.

Veteran journalist Mohd Amin Jalil of Berita Harian, who has over three decades in the field, said journalists on the board are best placed to advocate for the profession.

“Those with hands-on experience understand the job’s demands. Their presence ensures the council stays grounded in the realities of the work,” he said.

The board’s composition was announced by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil at the HAWANA 2025 summit, officiated by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre.

The 12-member board includes four representatives each from media organisations, media associations, professional journalists and freelancers, and non-media experts.

Among them are Kuching Journalists Association president Ronnie Teo, GERAMM’s Mohd Radzi Abdul Razak, and Borneo Post general manager Wong Yang Yong.

Other members include Daily Express editor-in-chief Datuk Sardahthisa James, Malaysiakini chief executive officer Premesh Chandran, Astro Awani editor-in-chief Ashwad Ismail, National Union of Journalists Peninsular Malaysia (NUJ) secretary-general Teh Athira Mohamed Yusof, and Tamil Media Association president S. Muthameez Manan.

Academics Gayathry S. Venkiteswaran, Celine Lim, Mohd Azmyl Md Yuso, and Terence Ooi Guan Tseng were also appointed.

-- BERNAMA