Fahmi Highlights Three Key Calls For PR, Communications Professionals

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 13 (Bernama) -- Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil today highlighted three key calls to action for the public relations and communications community, namely to raise professional standards, embrace transparency and elevate Malaysia’s image on the global stage.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Global Public Relations Conference and Festival (GPRCF) Malaysia 2025, he said the first call is to lift standards across the ecosystem by expanding mentorship, strengthening ethics and working with universities to nurture communicators who are both tech-savvy and empathetic, with the ministry ready to support such partnerships.

“Second, be transparent. If content is synthetic, say so. If data is incomplete, acknowledge it. If facts change, guide the public through that change. Credibility built on honesty will always outlast even the most persuasive campaign.

“...and third, showcase Malaysia to the world, and the world to Malaysia. Communications are our soft power. Through your stories, the world will see a Malaysia that is progressive, inclusive and confident,” he said in his ministerial speech.

Meanwhile, Fahmi said the government’s approach to online safety regulation is guided by clarity and accountability, not control.

“Our aim is not to police speech, but to protect the public sphere. Clear, consistent rules help citizens, creators and companies act confidently. When people can verify, question and understand information, they are empowered to make informed choices,” he said, adding that the ministry will continue to engage industry partners and civil society.

Fahmi said the Malaysian Media Council and the Online Safety Act 2024 are vital frameworks in combating misinformation and disinformation and in strengthening media integrity, that underscore the government’s commitment to ensuring a credible, transparent and secure digital environment for all Malaysians.

“The Malaysian Media Council, established under the Malaysian Media Council Act 2025, functions as an independent self-regulatory body that upholds the highest standards of journalistic ethics and professionalism. It serves to promote responsible reporting, foster transparency, and enhance public confidence in the media.

“Complementing this, the Online Safety Act 2024 reinforces accountability across digital platforms by mandating the implementation of online safety measures to curb harmful and misleading content. The Act also requires the clear labelling of AI-generated materials and the protection of vulnerable users, particularly children, from exposure to unsafe online practices,” he said.

Earlier, the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, officiated the inaugural three-day conference organised by the Public Relations Practitioners Society of Malaysia (PRactitioners), which brings together over 500 communication leaders, media professionals, policymakers and academics from Malaysia and abroad.

PRactitioners Malaysia Chairman and GPRCFMY Organising Chairperson Datuk P. Kamalanathan said the conference demonstrates how trust, ethics and empathy can redefine the communications industry.

“Public relations is the heartbeat of trust. When we communicate with purpose and integrity, we do more than inform - we unite, inspire and build legacies that endure,” he said.

-- BERNAMA