COMMENT | The Centre of Independent Journalism (CIJ) and Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) wish to commend and congratulate the formal appointment of the founding board members of the Malaysian Media Council (MMC).

This serves as a milestone towards achieving an independent, multi-stakeholder, regulatory and accountable media ecosystem.

In establishing this institution, we hope to be one step closer to attaining a media ecosystem that has the interests of the public at its heart.

Malaysia’s media landscape has faced issues such as self-censorship, the spread of disinformation and hate speech, reporting influenced by racism, bigotry, misogyny or xenophobia, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies to maximise profit and economic viability.

To enhance confidence in the media and strengthen the information and freedom of expression ecosystem, the MMC should focus on these priorities as it develops its foundations.