KUALA LUMPUR – The establishment of the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) marks a significant turning point in the governance of the country’s media industry, with responsibility for upholding journalistic ethics and standards now placed squarely in the hands of media professionals themselves.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the MMC, established under the newly enacted Malaysian Media Council Act 2025 (Act 868), will operate independently from the Communications Ministry.
He described it as an inclusive and sustainable platform that would allow the industry to regulate itself without government interference.
The move is aimed at strengthening public trust in the media while ensuring journalists and media practitioners are guided by principles of accountability, ethics and professionalism.
“I hope that with the establishment of the MMC, the challenges faced by our colleagues in the media industry can be managed in a more inclusive, sustainable and independent manner,” said Fahmi.
“More importantly, it will enable various stakeholders to play their part in ensuring that the media remains not only independent and self-reliant, but also ethical and responsible.”
The minister said this new structure would not only strengthen press freedom but also support the long-term credibility and resilience of the industry. Although the MMC will be allowed to determine its own operational model, the government is committed to supporting its early development, particularly in legal and financial matters.
Fahmi noted that the ministry is ready to assist where needed, but stressed that any future funding arrangements will be determined in consultation with the council’s founding board.
“We will have discussions. The ministry does have some (funds) available, but we also want to understand what the board requires,” he said. He added that in time, the MMC could become fully self-sustaining – a key indicator of its independence.
At a ceremony in Putrajaya today, Fahmi presented letters of appointment to six of the 12 founding board members of the MMC. The board includes representatives from four categories: media companies; media associations, practitioners and independent journalists; and non-media professionals. Those appointed were selected based on their track record in journalism, academia, media management and communications.
The formation of the MMC comes after years of calls from within the media industry for a self-regulatory body that can advocate for press freedom, improve industry standards, and serve as a channel for resolving public complaints without government intervention.
The new act, which came into force on June 14, formalises these responsibilities and empowers the council to act in the interest of both the media and the public.
Fahmi also announced that the first Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the MMC will be held on November 7, where the full board will be finalised and leadership elected.
Among those present at the ceremony were Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching and Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, among others. – July 15, 2025
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