HAWANA 2025: MMC act to strengthen media integrity
Speaking at the HAWANA 2025 Forum today, Yong said the MMC Bill, passed by Parliament this year, culminated years of deliberation aimed at establishing a self-regulatory body to empower media practitioners while ensuring accountability.
'This Act is designed to safeguard journalistic integrity, promote fair reporting, and provide a structured mechanism for addressing public concerns about media practices,' he said.
Also present were 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 National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) 2025 project director.
Yong expressed his appreciation to Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching, as well as former minister Gobind Singh Deo, for their efforts in championing the Act.
He said the legislation aims to strengthen ethical standards and restore public trust in journalism while ensuring that professionals in the field have the autonomy to self-regulate.
On the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in journalism, Yong acknowledged its potential in enhancing newsroom operations but cautioned against over-reliance on the technology.
'Yet, while AI presents exciting opportunities, it must be adopted judiciously. Journalism is not merely about data processing; it is about human judgment, investigative rigour and ethical responsibility,' he said.
Yong stressed that AI should complement, not replace, journalists, and the challenge lies in integrating the technology responsibly to enhance the credibility and effectiveness of media without eroding core journalistic values.
The HAWANA 2025 Forum, which took place at Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre (WTCKL), discussed the topic 'Malaysian Media Council: Regulator or Media Protector?', followed by a technology-sharing session titled 'AI & Media: Tool, Threat or Opportunity?'
The forum, jointly organised by Bernama and MPI, also served as an important platform for the Pro tem Committee of the Malaysian Media Council (MMM) to voice their views on the direction of the industry after the approval of the MMC Bill 2024 in Parliament.
Themed 'Journalism in the New Era: Embracing AI, Safeguarding Ethics', HAWANA 2025 is the largest gathering of Malaysian media practitioners. It is organised by the Communications Ministry through Bernama as the implementing agency.
The prestigious event will be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at WTCKL at about noon today.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
30 minutes ago
- Barnama
RM113 Bln worth Of Sick, Abandoned Private Housing Projects Revived
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12 (Bernama) -- A total of 1,171 private housing projects with a gross development value (GDV) of RM113.55 billion have been revived by the Task Force for Sick and Abandoned Private Housing Projects (TFST) under the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT). Deputy Minister Aiman Athirah Sabu said this achievement involved the revival of 139,848 housing units since TFST's first meeting in 2023. 'For this year alone, up to June, TFST successfully revived 244 private housing projects involving 27,101 housing units with a GDV of RM21.07 billion.
Barnama
30 minutes ago
- Barnama
Internet Coverage In Populated Areas In Malaysia Reaches 98.82 Per Cent
GENERAL KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 (Bernama) -- Internet and communication coverage in populated areas across Malaysia has reached 98.82 per cent as of July 31, according to Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. For 5G coverage, he said Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) has completed the construction of 7,489 transmitter sites, collectively providing 82.4 per cent coverage in populated areas. 'The number of 5G subscriptions has exceeded 28 million users, and the mobile 5G broadband penetration rate per 100 people stands at 82.7 per cent,' he said in reply to Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang) at Dewan Rakyat today. Dr Zulkafperi had wanted to know the latest progress and details on the government's 5G rollout programme, as well as the strategies to further expand coverage into rural areas such as Sungai Burong, Sekinchan, and Permatang, with particular focus on those within the Tanjong Karang parliamentary constituency. Fahmi said that in Tanjong Karang, internet and communication coverage in populated areas stands at 99.75 per cent, while the Sungai Besar constituency has recorded a coverage rate of 99.99 per cent. Additionally, he noted that the second 5G network by U Mobile began operating on July 14, with 1,232 sites upgraded to support 5G coverage. On the JENDELA 1 initiative, Fahmi said it is expected to be fully completed by the end of 2025, while plans for JENDELA 2 are currently being reviewed and will be announced in the fourth quarter of 2025 by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). According to Fahmi, the planning process requires assessment of suitable service delivery methods that are fit-for-purpose, as well as the capability of the Universal Service Provision (USP) Fund to finance the project's capital and operational expenditures. 'The types of service delivery solutions currently under consideration are expected to include the construction of new towers and the provision of Internet services via satellite technology,' he explained.
Barnama
43 minutes ago
- Barnama
TVET Reforms Lift Malaysia's Graduate Employability To 95.1 Pct
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) reforms have boosted graduate employability to 95.1 per cent, with more than 430,000 students now enrolled nationwide, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Ahmad Zahid, who is also National TVET Council (MTVET) chairman, said 53.56 per cent of the country's secondary school leavers in 2024 chose TVET as their first option, marking a significant shift in national education trends. "When I was entrusted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in 2023 to chair the National TVET Council, I knew this was more than just a policy role," he said when opening the ASEAN TVET Conference (ATVET) 2025 at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) here today.
