Latest news with #Wathshlah
The Sun
14-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Media Council not just regulator, but key support for local media
KUALA LUMPUR: 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. Wathshlah said the Media Council should be seen as a body that balances support and accountability -playing a critical role in ensuring media sustainability while also holding media organisations accountable, not just internally but to the public as well. She added that while it is essential to help the media industry grow and remain viable, the council must also play a part in upholding standards and ethics. Also, fostering public trust must be central to the council's mandate, as it directly influences how the public engages with media. 'In building the public trust, you're also educating the public so regardless of who considers themselves journalists, it's also critical for the public to know how to make the distinction that what we are listening to or what we are reading is actually reliable content,' she said. The media council formation has been a long-standing discussion among media stakeholders in Malaysia, aimed at promoting self-regulation and press freedom while improving media standards. The HAWANA 2025 Forum jointly organised by Bernama and MPI, also serves as an important platform for the pro-tem committee of the MMC to voice their views on the direction of the industry post the approval of the Malaysian Media Council Bill 2024 (MMM 2024) in Parliament last February. HAWANA 2025, the largest gathering of Malaysian media practitioners, themed 'Journalism in the New Era: Embracing AI, Safeguarding Ethics', is organised by the Ministry of Communications through Bernama as the implementing agency.
The Sun
14-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Media Council to Support, Not Just Regulate, Industry Growth
KUALA LUMPUR: 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. Wathshlah said the Media Council should be seen as a body that balances support and accountability -playing a critical role in ensuring media sustainability while also holding media organisations accountable, not just internally but to the public as well. She added that while it is essential to help the media industry grow and remain viable, the council must also play a part in upholding standards and ethics. Also, fostering public trust must be central to the council's mandate, as it directly influences how the public engages with media. 'In building the public trust, you're also educating the public so regardless of who considers themselves journalists, it's also critical for the public to know how to make the distinction that what we are listening to or what we are reading is actually reliable content,' she said. The media council formation has been a long-standing discussion among media stakeholders in Malaysia, aimed at promoting self-regulation and press freedom while improving media standards. The HAWANA 2025 Forum jointly organised by Bernama and MPI, also serves as an important platform for the pro-tem committee of the MMC to voice their views on the direction of the industry post the approval of the Malaysian Media Council Bill 2024 (MMM 2024) in Parliament last February. HAWANA 2025, the largest gathering of Malaysian media practitioners, themed 'Journalism in the New Era: Embracing AI, Safeguarding Ethics', is organised by the Ministry of Communications through Bernama as the implementing agency.
The Sun
04-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
‘More efforts needed to preserve press freedom'
PETALING JAYA: The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) has urged the government to press on with media reform, warning that press freedom remains fragile despite Malaysia's improved international ranking. Its executive director Wathshlah G. Naidu acknowledged the country's jump from 107th to 88th place in the Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index. While welcoming the progress, she stressed that more must be done. 'Although this improvement is encouraging, we cannot afford to be complacent. The rise in rank should not overshadow the ongoing challenges journalists face, particularly with the rise of digital authoritarianism and the growing use of AI in newsrooms,' she said in a statement marking World Press Freedom Day. This year's theme, 'Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media,' reflects sweeping changes in Malaysia's media landscape. Major outlets such as The Star, Astro Awani and Free Malaysia Today are now using AI-assisted reporting to boost efficiency. However, these advancements have also triggered major job cuts. 'When AI is used to replace rather than support journalists, we risk losing the depth and nuance that on-the-ground reporting provides. AI should be a tool that supports journalism, not a substitute for it,' she added. Wathshlah also said AI is not the cause of Malaysia's press freedom issues. Long-standing structural problems such as restrictive laws, opaque media ownership and political interference remain major obstacles to independent journalism. 'The continued use of repressive laws, including the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, still casts a chilling effect on free speech. 'The recent introduction of the Online Safety Act 2024 and proposed amendments to the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 also raise red flags about increased government control under the guise of morality and security,' she said. Nevertheless, Wathshlah remains cautiously optimistic, citing the passage of the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) Bill and ongoing efforts by the Legal Affairs Division under the Prime Minister's Office to establish a protem committee to draft the Right to Information (RTI) Bill. 'If the MMC is truly independent and inclusive, it could serve as a vital mechanism to uphold ethical standards and protect press freedom. 'A robust RTI law would also empower journalists to fight disinformation and use AI responsibly,' she said. CIJ has also called for an immediate halt to the use of outdated laws during the reform process. The group urged the government to amend or repeal legislation that restricts press freedom, including the Sedition Act 1948, Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, the Official Secrets Act (OSA) 1972 and some sections of the Penal Code. 'This is a pivotal moment for real change. We need to move beyond symbolic reforms and build an environment in which the media can operate freely and responsibly. 'A free, ethical and independent media is fundamental to a democracy rooted in truth and accountability,' she said.
Borneo Post
03-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Malaysia climbs to 88th in World Press Freedom Index, but concerns over AI, laws remain
Wathshlah G. Naidu KUCHING (May 3): Malaysia has improved its standing in the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) World Press Freedom Index, rising from 107th place last year to 88th this year, according to the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ). CIJ executive director Wathshlah G. Naidu said while this progress is a welcome sign, it must not mask the systemic constraints that continue to inhibit media freedom in the country, particularly in the face of rising digital authoritarianism and the increasing use of AI in news production. 'AI and other digital tools are rapidly becoming embedded in Malaysian media practices. Newsrooms are experimenting with AI for research, content generation, translation and social media trend analysis,' he said in a statement to commemorate the World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) 2025 today. This year's WPFD theme 'Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media' resonates deeply with Malaysia's current media landscape. Wathshlah said outlets such as The Star, Astro Awani and Free Malaysia Today had reportedly explored AI-assisted reporting to streamline workflows and expand reach. While these tools can help enhance efficiency and access to information, she said they also raise critical ethical questions about editorial standards, misinformation, transparency and accountability. According to her, this shift is already affecting livelihoods with the layoffs at Media Chinese International Limited (MCIL), parent company of China Press, Sin Chew Daily and Nanyang Daily seeing 44 per cent of staff being let go in favour of AI tools. 'It is within this climate and ecosystem that we have seen the job security and economic livelihood of journalists constantly threatened; with publications like Malaysiakini, The Malaysian Insight and Petra News moving toward massive layoffs and downsizing as part of their economic viability and sustainability measures. 'When economic expediency leads to AI being used as a substitute rather than a support for human-driven journalism, the public suffers the loss of contextual, ground-level reporting essential for participatory democracy,' she said. Wathshlah, however, said AI is not the only root of the problems plaguing Malaysia's media landscape given the decades of authoritarian media control, opaque ownership structures and legal harassment and intimidation. Last year, she said Malaysia witnessed a persistent pattern of harassment and legal intimidation against journalists and media organisations, while DNS blocking exposed deeper issues of regulatory overreach, opaque procedures and lack of media independence. 'These developments underscore the urgent need for comprehensive legal reforms and the adoption of a rights-based approach to protect press freedom in Malaysia.'
