Latest news with #UnravelingtheDynamicsofMediaFreedomintheDigitalEra
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Over 13,000 WiFi units installed under campus connectivity push, says Fahmi
SINTOK: More than 13,000 WiFi units have been installed across campuses nationwide under the government's campus connectivity initiative. The Communications Ministry has given its assurance that internet access issues at public universities will be resolved by the third phase of the project. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the initiative, now in its second phase, had so far delivered 13,470 units out of the 32,000 planned nationwide. Key beneficiaries include institutions such as Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM). "To date, more than 13,470 WiFi units have been installed out of the 32,000 planned nationwide," he said after delivering a keynote address at the 'Unraveling the Dynamics of Media Freedom in the Digital Era' forum in UUM today. Present were Malaysian Press Institute president Yong Soo Heong and UUM Vice-Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Mohd Foad Sakdan. Fahmi said the second phase of the project is expected to be completed within the next five to six weeks. "Once the second phase is done, there are several matters to be discussed with university managements. We will also review the implementation of the first and second phases. "If any improvements are needed within individual campuses, they will be included in the third phase. We want to ensure students can enjoy high-quality internet access," he added. Besides public universities, the WiFi initiative also involves polytechnics and community colleges, as part of the government's broader effort to expand internet access across educational institutions. The third phase of the initiative is expected to begin later this year, with the tender process to follow once locations and campus requirements are confirmed. "We will accelerate efforts to ensure all students can enjoy better internet access, InsyaAllah," Fahmi said. The government, he added, remains committed to improving digital infrastructure to benefit students. In January, Fahmi announced that the government allocated RM668 million to boost WiFi access at 23 public universities by installing more internet access points.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Gerik crash: Respect grieving families, Fahmi tells social media users
SINTOK: Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has warned content creators to be mindful and respectful when producing material related to tragedies, especially in the aftermath of the recent bus crash in Gerik that claimed 15 lives. He said certain remarks and content circulating online could hurt the feelings of victims' families and urged the public to give them space and privacy. "I've seen some of the content shared… we must observe decorum and exercise restraint. There was one video, I'm not sure how appropriate it was, where someone went to the accident site and recorded content from inside the bus," he said during a press conference after his keynote address at the Unraveling the Dynamics of Media Freedom in the Digital Era forum in Universiti Utara Malaysia today. Fahmi stressed the importance of empathy and sensitivity, particularly when dealing with content that involves the loss of life. "Although the message conveyed was one of condolence, we must remember that it is still an active investigation site. We must be cautious when producing such content," he said. He also said the cabinet is expected to discuss the tragedy during upcoming meetings. "We are awaiting a full report from the authorities. Based on that, we will determine what follow-up actions are necessary, particularly in terms of enforcement. "A media briefing will be held afterwards." In the incident, 15 university students were killed , while several others sustained injuries and are receiving treatment at Gerik Hospital. The bus was travelling from Jerteh, Terengganu, to Tanjung Malim, Perak.
