Govt tables media council bill for first reading, pro tem chair lauds move

PARLIAMENT | The Malaysian Media Council Bill 2024, aimed at establishing a self-regulatory body to safeguard the interests of the media and media practitioners, was tabled for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat today.

According to Bernama, the bill was tabled by Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching, who added that the second reading would take place in the next parliamentary meeting.

Among others, Clause 15 of the bill provides for the establishment of a regulatory mechanism concerning complaints of dissatisfaction, which shall be adopted and implemented by the council as determined during general meetings.

Clause 16 sets out the council’s disciplinary powers over its members by creating disciplinary offences, establishing penalties, and determining the procedure for disciplinary proceedings as decided in general meetings.

Additionally, Clause 8 of the bill proposes the establishment and membership of the council board, including the appointment of two members by the minister to represent the government. The appointed members must be individuals involved in the media industry.

‘No active politician allowed’

Clause 9 stipulates that the council chairperson must not be a member of any legislative body, nor an individual actively involved in politics, registered with any political party, or a member of the public service.

It also provides for a deputy chairperson, who shall be appointed by board members from among themselves to perform the chairperson's functions in the event he or she is unable to do so for any reason or during any vacancy in the position.

On financial provisions, Clause 17 of the bill states that the council may only receive foreign funding without conditions from individuals or organisations abroad for the purpose of promoting awareness and providing education regarding the media industry, subject to the minister's approval.

The second schedule of the bill proposes that the council’s inaugural general meeting must be held within six months from the date of the appointment of the founding board members.

As for extraordinary general meetings, they may be convened at any time by the council and must be held upon the request of no less than one-fifth of the total membership.

‘Support appreciated’

In an immediate response, council pro tem chairperson Premesh Chandran welcomed the move.

“It has come a long way since the pro tem committee was set up in 2019, we recognise the contribution of all members.

“We appreciate the support of the Communications Ministry, initially under Gobind Singh Deo, and now under Fahmi Fadzil and Teo who we have closely worked with, as well as the Attorney-General’s Chambers and others who have contributed,” he said.

He added that the bill was close to the pro tem committee’s original framing that is accessible on Majlismedia.my,

Premesh hopes that once the media council is established, professional journalism could be supported, and the financial sustainability of the industry be improved.

“The pro tem committee will scrutinise the bill, as well as gather public feedback, and provide our views to the ministry in due course,” he added.

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