Media Council Not Just Regulator, But Key Support For Local Media
(From left) International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation, International Islamic University Malaysia (ISTAC-IIUM) Professor Datuk Ahmad Murad Merican, Star Media Group senior news editor Philip Golingai, Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) executive director Wathshlah G Naidu and Malaysian Media Council (MMC) pro-tem committee chairman Premesh Chandran during the HAWANA 2025 Media Forum titled 'Malaysian Media Council: Regulator or Media Protector?' today. The forum was moderated by Bernama TV anchor and broadcast journalist Jessy Chahal.
KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Media Council (MMC) will serve not only as a regulatory body, but also a key support system for local media agency and practitioners to safeguards the industry amidst rapid technological advancements.
MMC pro-tem committee chairman Premesh Chandran said industry players should view the Council's framework as a form of strategic collaboration, rather than merely a regulatory mechanism. He emphasised that its focus should be on empowering the industry to function effectively, rather than solely on punitive measures.
Speaking as a panelist at HAWANA 2025 Media Forum today, he however agrees with the panelist for the media to be accountable for the content it produces and MMC will ensure a fair and balanced measure for a more conducive industry.
'The goal is to help the media industry thrive as it plays its role in informing society, holding the government accountable, and ensuring that the society knowledgeable and well-informed, so that we can make sound decisions about our democracy and policies.
'So, can the Media Council achieve that? That is the ultimate objective, to support the media industry in doing good work while ensuring its long-term sustainability (as) I think the biggest constraint many of us face today is financial (limitations),' he said during the HAWANA 2025 Media Forum titled 'Malaysian Media Council: Regulator or Media Protector?' held here today.
The session was also joined by Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) executive director Wathshlah G Naidu, Star Media Group senior news editor Philip Golingai and International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation, International Islamic University Malaysia (ISTAC-IIUM) Professor Datuk Ahmad Murad Merican.
Moderated by Bernama TV anchor and broadcast journalist Jessy Chahal, the forum were joined by more than 250 journalists, media practitioners, academicians and students.
Also present, Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) president Datuk Yong Soo Heong, MPI chief executive officer Ainol Amriz Ismail, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and Bernama editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, who is also the project director for HAWANA 2025.
Sharing the same sentiment, Wathshlah opined that MMC should not function solely as a regulatory body, but also serve as a mechanism to rebuild public trust in the media by promoting media literacy and ethical journalism.
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