Veteran Journalists Ready To Support Malaysian Media Council’s Work - Bernama Chairman

By Nabilah Saleh

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 8 (Bernama) — Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai believes the newly established Malaysian Media Council (MMC) will be able to set new benchmarks for the country’s media industry, with the support of veteran journalists and media professionals.

The National Journalism Laureate said experienced journalists, including veterans like himself, are ready to offer guidance and advisory input to help the council strengthen ethical and responsible journalism.

“They will face certain situations that they have never encountered before, but being experienced journalists and professionals involved in management, I believe they will handle them well.

“Many of us who have been in this business for decades are prepared to support them and provide advisory input. At the end of the day, this is for Malaysia and for Malaysian journalists — that’s what truly matters,” he told Bernama here today.

Wong was commenting on the successful inaugural Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the council held here on Friday, which marked a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen the nation’s media institutions.

The AGM saw the election of 12 council members representing three categories; media companies, journalists and media associations, as well as members of the public and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Wong further described the establishment of the council as a major step forward for Malaysia’s media landscape, saying it represents the industry’s readiness to self-regulate and uphold professional standards.

“This is an important milestone in the history of Malaysia, not just for journalism but for the country as a whole, because we are finally seeing the setting up of a body that can regulate and look at our industry by ourselves,” he said, adding that the council’s first election marks a new phase of accountability and autonomy for local media practitioners.

He lauded the inclusivity reflected in the composition of the council, noting that it includes representatives from both Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak, as well as balanced gender representation.

He is also encouraged by the credibility and integrity of the elected council members, whom he described as “real journalists” committed to advancing the industry.

“When I look at the list of people who have been elected, I was really very glad, because most of them are people that I know … real journalists who have walked the ground. With people like these, I believe the council will be able to set the right tone for the future,” he said.

Wong also called on the public and the wider media fraternity to give the council time and space to deliver on its responsibilities, given that the members are still managing their professional duties while helping to build the institution.

“This has never happened before in Malaysia. Give them a chance to perform. These members are full-time journalists, not full-time media council personalities. 

“The media industry already faces challenges in sustaining revenue and operations, and on top of that, they are now taking on this new responsibility. I am confident they will do well in setting new milestones for the media industry,” he said.

Those elected under the media company category are former interim MMC chairman C. Premesh, New Straits Times Group Editor Farrah Naz Abd Karim, Star Media Group Berhad Chief Content Officer Datin Paduka Esther Ng Sek Yee, and The Borneo Post and Utusan Borneo General Manager Wong Yang Yong

The journalists and associations category includes Mohamad Fauzi Ishak, Mariah Airens Doksil, Mohd Ishak Abdillah Ngan and Adie Suri Zulkefli, while Zaharom Nain, Terence Ooi Guan Tseng, Cynthia Lorraine Silva and Medina Mahmood were elected under the public and NGO category.

-- BERNAMA