KUALA LUMPUR – Freedom of the media is among the unity government’s undertakings to ensure an effective check-and-balance process for the administration, said Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
He said setting up the Malaysian Media Council could be one of the means towards that goal.
“As the minister, I myself am open to this, but of course, it needs the approval of the cabinet.
“Give it a little time, we will look into it,” he said after attending a briefing during his visit to Bernama here today.
Communications and Digital Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Seri Mohammad Mentek and members of Bernama’s management, including its chairman Senator Datuk Ras Adiba Radzi and chief executive officer Roslan Ariffin, were also present.
Also in attendance were Bernama deputy editor-in-chief (international news service) Jamaluddin Muhammad, who is also discharging the duties of the editor-in-chief, and its executive editor who is also discharging the duties of deputy editor-in-chief (news services), Harlina Samson.
Fahmi said the proposed establishment of the media council has yet to be discussed in the cabinet, and promised updates if a decision is reached.
On December 5, Fahmi said he needed more details from media industry players on its proposed establishment, especially from journalists' associations, and assured that media freedom and the welfare of media practitioners in the country would be given priority.
The proposal for a Malaysian Media Council was mooted at the inaugural celebration of the National Journalists Day in 2018.
Meanwhile, Fahmi said he would get additional information on Budget 2023 for the Communications and Digital Ministry, which is expected to be tabled at the end of the first quarter of next year. – Bernama, December 8, 2022
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