Media self-regulation body established as Fahmi announces 12-member founding board

KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 — Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil today announced that the formation of the Founding Board of the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) has been completed.

The 12-member board will consist of equal representation from four categories: media companies, media associations, media practitioners and independent journalists, as well as non-media representatives.

“MMC will be making an official announcement soon,” Fahmi said during his speech at the National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) 2025 Summit held at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL).

Themed “Journalism in the New Era: Embracing AI, Safeguarding Ethics,” the summit was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and attended by around 1,000 local and international media professionals.

Also in attendance were Federal Territories Minister Datuk Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching, Communications Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, Bernama Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, CEO Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj—who also serves as the HAWANA 2025 Project Director—and other senior leaders from national media organisations.

Fahmi had earlier indicated that the MMC would begin operations by mid-year, following the passing of the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) Bill 2024 in Parliament this February.

The MMC will serve as an independent self-regulatory body aimed at upholding media freedom and enforcing journalistic ethics, thereby strengthening the Malaysian media industry.

Organised by the Communications Ministry and implemented by Bernama, HAWANA 2025 seeks to honour the vital role of journalists in nation-building. National Journalists’ Day, gazetted for May 29, commemorates the publication of Utusan Melayu’s first issue in 1939, recognising the enduring impact of media in shaping informed public discourse. — Bernama