Malaysian Media Council takes shape, membership to open in August
The Founding Board members were divided into three categories: media owners, media professionals and public interest representatives.
The four media owners are Phyllis Wong (Utusan Borneo), James Sarda (Sabah Publishing House), Premesh Chandran (Malaysiakini) and Ashwad Ismail (Astro Awani).
The four media professionals are Teh Athira Yusof (National Union of Journalists), Radzi Razak (Gerakan Media Merdeka), Ronnie Teo (Kuching Division Journalists Association) and Muthameez Manan (Tamil Media Association)
The four public interest representatives are Gayathry Venkiteswaran (University of Nottingham, Malaysia), Celine Lim (SAVE Rivers), Terence Ooi (Wiki Impact) and Azmyl Yunor (Sunway University).
'We recognise that the formation of the council is not a silver bullet,' said interim chairperson Premesh Chandran in a statement on Tuesday (July 15). 'Building a credible, effective council that protects media independence and supports the viability of the industry requires a large, active, and committed membership. We invite all stakeholders to take ownership of this institution.'
The Founding Board stated that membership for the council would be available from early August and would close at the end of September. Applications can be submitted through the council's official website, www.majlismedia.my, for a small fee of RM10. Membership is available to media owners, professionals, and individuals or organisations involved in the media ecosystem that serve public interests.
The council's first Annual General Meeting (AGM) was set for Nov 7, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur. During this meeting, a new board would be elected, and essential topics, such as establishing a formal membership structure, implementing a code of conduct and setting up a complaints mechanism, would be discussed.
At least 25% of board members were from Sabah and Sarawak, ensuring inclusive national leadership.
The MMC would function as an independent self-regulatory body for the media industry. Its key roles would include advocating for the highest standards in ethical and responsible journalism; creating a set of guidelines for the media industry; regulating members' ethics and professional conduct, including carrying out investigations and mediating complaints; facilitating communication among the media, government, and the public; advocating for legal changes that promote media independence; fostering the professional development of journalists and Maintaining a centralised database of information about the media sector.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sinar Daily
5 minutes ago
- Sinar Daily
Grab Malaysia crowns Langgor FC as champions at Piala Rakan Grab national finals
First launched in 2024 in collaboration with the Malaysian Football League (MFL), the tournament spanned 11 cities and engaged over 1,200 Grab partners and their families. The finals, held in Kuala Lumpur, saw Langgor FC from Perak emerge victorious, capping off a spirited nationwide football and community initiative. SHAH ALAM - Grab Malaysia wrapped up the national finals of the Piala Rakan Grab tournament as part of the Festival Rakan Grab, celebrating its driver and delivery-partners from across the country. The finals, held in Kuala Lumpur, saw Langgor FC from Perak emerge victorious, capping off a spirited nationwide football and community initiative. First launched in 2024 in collaboration with the Malaysian Football League (MFL), the tournament spanned 11 cities and engaged over 1,200 Grab partners and their families. First launched in 2024 in collaboration with the Malaysian Football League (MFL), the tournament spanned 11 cities and engaged over 1,200 Grab partners and their families. State-level champions from Selangor, Johor, Pahang, Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Perak, Penang, Sarawak and Sabah were flown in for the final showdown, providing them with a rare opportunity to compete on a national stage. Participants also had the chance to meet and interact with their football heroes, strengthening bonds through their shared passion for the sport. Running alongside the finals was Festival Rakan Grab, a community-centric event aimed at enhancing partner engagement through on-ground activities and exhibitions by GrabBenefits partners. Running alongside the finals was Festival Rakan Grab, a community-centric event aimed at enhancing partner engagement through on-ground activities and exhibitions by GrabBenefits partners. Grab Malaysia Managing Director Adelene Foo said the programme highlight the company's ongoing commitment to support, engage and celebrate its partners through meaningful community events that promote unity and shared passion. "The Piala Rakan Grab National Finals and Festival Rakan Grab are part of our continuous efforts to support and recognise our partner community. "Events like these are a meaningful way for us to engage with our partners beyond the everyday, promoting unity, teamwork and shared passion through football. Grab Malaysia Managing Director Adelene Foo "It also reinforces our ongoing commitment to support our partners in ways that matter to them and their families,' she said in a statement. Earlier this year, Grab Malaysia expanded the GrabBenefits programme from three to five pillars namely Insurance, Takaful and Social Protection, Daily Deals, Academy, Gig Financial Solutions and Community, with over RM10 million invested to provide comprehensive support for its partners. Participants also had the chance to meet and interact with their football heroes, strengthening bonds through their shared passion for the sport. A highlight of the event was the Everyday Heroes Awards, which recognised outstanding partners who made significant contributions throughout 2024. Awards were presented in categories such as best service, most rides or deliveries and longest-serving partner. Through initiatives like these, Grab Malaysia continues to reinforce its dedication to building a supportive and empowered community, creating opportunities for connection, celebration and collective growth. More Like This
Malaysiakini
2 hours ago
- Malaysiakini
PKR rep moots RM10m bounty for Jho Low to avert another DNAA
In a dramatic appeal that raises the stakes in the hunt for fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low, a PKR assemblyperson has called on the government to offer an RM10 million reward to track down the man believed to be the criminal mastermind behind the 1MDB scandal. Rawang assemblyperson Chua Wei Kiat said Low's (above) return is critical for justice to be served, comparing his accountability to...
New Straits Times
15 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Gymnastics federation bans Kedah president for life
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Gymnastics Federation (MGF) has slapped Kedah Gymnastics Association (KGA) president Eddy Shuhairie Shukor with a lifetime ban and suspended the state body for three years. MGF president Kau Git Kaur said the decision was finalised after the Sessions Court rejected Eddy's bid to overturn the ban via an injunction on June 10. The punishment follows accusations that Eddy and KGA allowed the Malaysian Aesthetic Group Gymnastics Association to use an MGF-issued sanctioning letter to host an event — allegedly without the national body's consent. Tensions escalated when KGA and Eddy were barred from attending the MGF annual general meeting on June 14. "The Sessions Court dismissed his injunction on June 13, so we had no choice but to act," said Git Kaur at a press conference at the National Sports Council on Thursday. "We recommended a life ban because they tried to exploit the timing — right before the AGM — to use their voting rights for political manoeuvring. This kind of behaviour is unacceptable and damages the sport's integrity." Git Kaur stressed that MGF remains open to reconciliation but said no appeal has been submitted. "They still have the right to appeal. We're willing to support them if they want to come back, but so far, nothing has come through," he said. "This issue could've been resolved easily. If they had acknowledged the mistake and apologised, we would've given them another chance. "While KGA is suspended, gymnasts from Kedah are still allowed to compete at the Malaysia Games (Sukma), but not in any MGF-sanctioned competitions." Eddy, meanwhile, said the legal battle is far from over.
