THE DEWAN Rakyat today passed the Malaysian Media Council Bill 2024, which will allow self-regulation within the local media industry.
The bill was presented for its second reading today by Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching.
The first reading of the bill was held on Dec 12 last year, also by Teo.
A total of 19 MPs participated in the debates on the Bill. It was tabled for first reading on Dec 12, 2024.
Under the Bill, the council will have to set standards and establish a code of conduct with ethical and responsible standards of journalism for media practitioners.
When tabling the Bill for Second Reading, Teo said a media council was proposed over five decades ago in 1973 by second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein.
"For now, we don't have a body to manage and fight for the interests of the local media.
"Through the setting up of the council, the government is confident that checks and balances can be carried out by media industry players themselves," said Teo.
The Council will be governed by a board comprising a chairman who is not involved in politics, civil service, or legislature and two members representing the government.
Media companies, media associations and non-media members will have four members each and will have at least a woman and one representative from Sabah and Sarawak.
The chairman and board members will be paid an allowance, and a board member shall hold office for two years.
The idea of a media council was first proposed in 1974 by Malaysia’s second prime minister, the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the passing of the Bill is a significant victory for media freedom in Malaysia
"The process is still a long way to go, but this marks the beginning of a major win for media freedom in Malaysia," he said. – February 26, 2025
