Media Council to be set up soon, says Fahmi
Moving forward: Fahmi (centre) posing with ommunications Ministry staff in Putrajaya. Also present are Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching (in blue), Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa (on Fahmi's left) and Bernama chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin (in red). — Bernama
PUTRAJAYA: Efforts to formally set up the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) are under way, with an official announcement expected soon.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, who disclosed this, said it could be announced before the National Journalists Day (Hawana) 2025 celebration on June 14.
He said the process will commence once the MMC Bill passed by the Dewan Rakyat on Feb 26 and Dewan Negara on March 19 receives the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's consent and is officially gazetted.
'We expect to begin the process of officially creating the MMC within the next few weeks, once the Bill receives royal consent and is gazetted.
'It will take some time due to the administrative and financial aspects, which involve waiting for allocations from the Finance Ministry.
'We hope to have good news about the MMC by Hawana,' he told reporters after the ministry's monthly assembly here yesterday, Bernama reported.
Fahmi previously said the proposed MMC is expected to get off the ground by mid-2025.
The council will serve as a self-regulatory body to safeguard media freedom and uphold journalistic ethics, while also empowering the national media industry.
In his speech earlier, Fahmi said Hawana 2025 is not just a celebration but a platform to strengthen the media ecosystem and recognise the vital role played by journalists.
'It also aims to reinforce professionalism and responsible freedom of expression among media practitioners.
'As a curtain-raiser, a pre-launch for Hawana will take place on June 3 at Wisma Bernama,' he said.
The highlight will be on June 14 at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL), with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the special guest.
The event is expected to see the gathering of about 1,000 local and foreign journalists.
Organised by the Communications Ministry with Bernama as the implementing agency, Hawana 2025 will feature a variety of activities, including a Pesta Pantun on May 31, a pre-launch event with strategic partners at Wisma Bernama on June 3 and media forum jointly hosted with the Malaysian Press Institute.
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