A Historic Step for Media Freedom: Malaysian Media Council Bill and Bernama (Amendment) Bill
By R YUNESWARAN
The passing of the Malaysian Media Council Bill by Parliament today marks a historic milestone in the country’s media landscape, paving the way for self-regulation within the industry.
This long-awaited bill is the result of extensive collaboration between the government and media stakeholders, demonstrating a shared commitment to upholding press freedom and journalistic integrity.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the Ministry of Communications and the pro-tem committee for their unwavering dedication and perseverance in bringing this much-anticipated bill to fruition.
Their concerted efforts have been instrumental in shaping a framework that balances media independence with accountability.
The idea of a media council was first proposed over five decades ago in 1973 by Malaysia’s second Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein.
However, it was only on December 6, 2019, that a Cabinet memorandum to formally establish the Malaysian Media Council was tabled and approved.
Since then, various efforts have been made to bring this initiative to life, including the drafting of the Bill by a 21-member pro-tem committee in August 2020.
The establishment of the Malaysian Media Council marks a significant milestone in our nation’s media landscape.
Empowered to set standards and enforce a code of conduct, the council will promote ethical and responsible journalism, thereby enhancing public trust in the media.
By providing a platform for grievance redressal and facilitating continuous professional development, the council will serve as both a guardian of media freedom and a catalyst for industry excellence.
We also commend the bill for ensuring fair representation within the council’s governance structure.
The council will be led by a board comprising a chairman who is not involved in politics, civil service, or the legislature, along with two members representing the government.
Additionally, media companies, media associations, and non-media members will each have four representatives, with at least one woman and one representative from Sabah or Sarawak.
This inclusive approach is a progressive step toward a more diverse and representative media body that reflects the voices and interests of all Malaysians.
In addition to this landmark bill, we also applaud the Dewan Rakyat for approving the Bernama (Amendment) Bill 2024, a crucial piece of legislation aimed at modernising Malaysia’s media industry to be more inclusive and responsive to current challenges.
This amendment marks the first update to the Bernama Act 1967 (Act 780) in nearly six decades and represents a major step in strengthening our national news agency.
Passed by a majority voice vote after a debate involving eight Members of Parliament, the amendment will ensure Bernama remains dynamic and aligned with the evolving needs of the media landscape.
We commend Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil for his leadership in introducing this bill, which is designed to optimise the use of digital media alongside traditional platforms.
By expanding the scope of Bernama beyond newspapers to include print, electronic, and digital media, this amendment is in line with the Malaysia MADANI framework and the government’s commitment to strengthening its communication capabilities in today’s fast-evolving media environment.
Both these legislative advancements signify a new era for Malaysia’s media industry—one that embraces self-regulation, inclusivity, and digital transformation.
We look forward to the positive changes these reforms will bring to our media landscape and the broader society it serves.
R Yuneswaran is Segamat MP from PKR.