Latest news with #ASEANMinistersResponsibleforInformation
The Sun
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
ASEAN to adopt KL Declaration on social media use in October
TOKYO: The Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the Safe and Responsible Use of Social Media Platforms for ASEAN will be formally adopted during the upcoming 47th ASEAN Summit in October 2025, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. He said the declaration was initiated and led by Malaysia and endorsed at the recent 17th Conference of the ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI) on May 7. 'Through this declaration, ASEAN further strengthens its collective efforts to promote responsible online behaviour among its citizens and to build a people-centred, digitally resilient community,' he said in his ministerial statement at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Telecommunity Ministerial Meeting (APT-MM) here today. Fahmi also noted that Malaysia is exploring the establishment of an ASEAN Toolkit for Online Safety, which aims to bring together practical resources and best practices from ASEAN member states to address online safety challenges unique to each country. 'It will serve as a guiding document for sharing knowledge and experiences, enabling member states to learn from one another and strengthen regional efforts to combat fake news, misinformation, disinformation, and mal-information, all of which contribute to online harms and exploitation across the region,' he said. Fahmi also highlighted that to promote accountability among online platforms, Malaysia has introduced a Regulatory Framework for Internet Messaging Service and social media service providers, requiring service providers with eight million or more users in Malaysia to apply for Application Service Provider (ASP) Class Licence under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. This policy, effective since January 2025, ensures that major platforms comply with our laws and take greater responsibility for managing harmful content, he said. In the meantime, the minister reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to ensuring universal access, technological equity, and environmental sustainability in the digital domain. 'Malaysia remains fully committed to working with our regional partners to build a secure, inclusive, and trusted digital environment. 'Through cooperation, mutual trust, and ongoing capacity-building' we can ensure no one is left behind in the digital age,' he added. Additionally, Fahmi also called for the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) to consider conducting a senior official working level workshop annually to help understand the respective challenges faced by its member states. 'In order for us to come up with similar strategies and perhaps corresponding legislative advancements, that will change the way we can confront these challenges together,' he added. APT is an intergovernmental organisation established in 1979 under the cooperation between the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Themed 'Harnessing Emerging Technologies for Sustainable, Inclusive and Equitable Digital Transformation in the Asia-Pacific', this year's APT-MM was attended by 31 member states together with 19 affiliate members comprising Asia Pacific's government agencies, regulators and private entities. The meeting is set to launch the Tokyo Statement 2025 on Saturday, which emphasises six priorities, namely digital relations, digital innovation and entrepreneurship, trust and security, digital inclusivity and capacity development, sustainability, as well as regional and international cooperation.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
ASEAN to adopt KL Declaration on safe and responsible use of social media this October
TOKYO: The Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the Safe and Responsible Use of Social Media Platforms for ASEAN will be formally adopted during the upcoming 47th ASEAN Summit in October 2025, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. He said the declaration was initiated and led by Malaysia and endorsed at the recent 17th Conference of the ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI) on May 7. 'Through this declaration, ASEAN further strengthens its collective efforts to promote responsible online behaviour among its citizens and to build a people-centred, digitally resilient community,' he said in his ministerial statement at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Telecommunity Ministerial Meeting (APT-MM) here today. Fahmi also noted that Malaysia is exploring the establishment of an ASEAN Toolkit for Online Safety, which aims to bring together practical resources and best practices from ASEAN member states to address online safety challenges unique to each country. 'It will serve as a guiding document for sharing knowledge and experiences, enabling member states to learn from one another and strengthen regional efforts to combat fake news, misinformation, disinformation, and mal-information, all of which contribute to online harms and exploitation across the region,' he said. Fahmi also highlighted that to promote accountability among online platforms, Malaysia has introduced a Regulatory Framework for Internet Messaging Service and social media service providers, requiring service providers with eight million or more users in Malaysia to apply for Application Service Provider (ASP) Class Licence under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. This policy, effective since January 2025, ensures that major platforms comply with our laws and take greater responsibility for managing harmful content, he said. In the meantime, the minister reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to ensuring universal access, technological equity, and environmental sustainability in the digital domain. 'Malaysia remains fully committed to working with our regional partners to build a secure, inclusive, and trusted digital environment. 'Through cooperation, mutual trust, and ongoing capacity-building' we can ensure no one is left behind in the digital age,' he added. Additionally, Fahmi also called for the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) to consider conducting a senior official working level workshop annually to help understand the respective challenges faced by its member states. 'In order for us to come up with similar strategies and perhaps corresponding legislative advancements, that will change the way we can confront these challenges together,' he added. APT is an intergovernmental organisation established in 1979 under the cooperation between the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Themed 'Harnessing Emerging Technologies for Sustainable, Inclusive and Equitable Digital Transformation in the Asia-Pacific', this year's APT-MM was attended by 31 member states together with 19 affiliate members comprising Asia Pacific's government agencies, regulators and private entities. The meeting is set to launch the Tokyo Statement 2025 on Saturday, which emphasises six priorities, namely digital relations, digital innovation and entrepreneurship, trust and security, digital inclusivity and capacity development, sustainability, as well as regional and international cooperation.
The Sun
07-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
AMRI backs KL declaration on safe social media use
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The 17th Conference of ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI) and Related Meetings concluded with strong backing for the 'Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Safe and Responsible Use of Social Media Platforms for ASEAN'. In a joint media statement issued at the end of the conference, ASEAN reaffirmed its collective commitment to cultivating a safe, inclusive, and responsible digital environment across the region. 'The meeting reaffirmed the importance of promoting a resilient and people-centred ASEAN Community by addressing the challenges posed by the misuse of social media, including the spread of disinformation, hate speech, and online exploitation,' the statement read. Ministers also highlighted the vital role of ASEAN's information sector in fostering collaborative engagement with key stakeholders, including social media platforms, to craft and implement practical measures to address harmful online content while safeguarding freedom of expression. The meeting also acknowledged the ongoing development of the 'Guidelines for Safe and Responsible Use of Social Media Platforms for ASEAN', which aims to provide pragmatic strategies for enhancing online safety and promoting cyber wellness across member states. According to the joint statement, AMRI also endorses the 'Bandar Seri Begawan Declaration to Reaffirm the ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information's Commitment to Strategic Progress in Media and Information'. The declaration underscores AMRI's ongoing commitment to strengthening cooperation and elevating the role of the information and media sector in the ASEAN Community beyond 2025. 'Furthermore, the meeting recalled AMRI's foundational objectives since its establishment in 1989, recognising the sector's vital contribution to ASEAN's development and its transversal role in supporting cross-cutting regional priorities,' it said. The declaration also sets a strategic direction for enhancing the sector's capacity in navigating digital era challenges, particularly in combating disinformation, managing the effects of digital transformation, the empowerment of youth as key drivers of innovation in media and communication as well as to promote the creative economy across the region. In addition, AMRI commended the substantive progress in the implementation of the ASEAN Strategic Plan for Information and Media (2016-2025), recognising it as a conerstone for regional collaboration, enhancing public awareness of ASEAN and promote regional identity and resilience. AMRI also acknowledged the ongoing development of the Work Plan for Information and Media (2026-2035), a successor roadmap designed to address the complexities of a rapidly evolving media landscape. 'The new Work Plan is expected to strengthen ASEAN's ability to respond to emerging trends, including rapid digital transformation, technological innovation, disinformation, and the growing demand for inclusive and accessible media content, as ASEAN moves towards its Post-2025 Vision,' according to the joint statement. The ministers also recognised the steady implementation of the ASEAN Communication Master Plan (ACMP) II (2018-2025), which has played a vital role in raising regional awareness and fostering a stronger sense of ASEAN identity among its people. Building on these gains, AMRI noted the ongoing efforts to develop ACMP III (2026-2030), which aimed at building on current achievements and guiding strategic communication for future ASEAN community-building initiatives. In tackling the pervasive challenge of misinformation, AMRI also acknowledged the work of the ASEAN Task Force on Fake News (TFFN) and underscored the need for stronger content moderation, enhanced self-regulation and closer collaboration with digital platforms to refine guidelines and harmonise policies across the region.
