KUALA LUMPUR: A pro-tem committee line-up has been formed to establish the new Malaysian Media Council, said Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo.
In a statement, he said the line-up was decided by media organisation heads and non-governmental organisation (NGO) representatives during a meeting with his ministry today.
The pro-tem committee, Gobind added, is made up of 17 individuals representing print, electronic, and online media; local and international media organisations, journalist unions, as well as NGO representatives.
“The pro-tem committee is formed following the Cabinet’s decision on Dec 6, which agreed for the formation of the Media Council as a self-regulatory body to protect the interests of the media and its practitioners.
“This decision is a major turning point as the media council’s efforts to set up has finally begun after being delayed.
“I understand that the proposal for its establishment was first raised 45 years ago,” he said.
The pro-tem committee’s advisor is prime minister’s media and communications advisor Datuk Abdul Kadir Jasin, while its president is MalaysiaKini chief executive officer Premesh Chandra.
Other members in the committee are:
1. Datuk Dr Chamil Warya (Malaysian Press Institute)
2. Datuk Yong Soo Heong (MPI)
3. Ding Jo Ann (Centre for Independent Journalism)
4. Datuk Mokhtar Hussain (Bernama)
5. Datuk Ahiruddin Attan (National Press Club)
6. Gayathry Venkiteswaran (University of Nottingham)
7. Kuik Cheng Kang (Editors’ Association of Chinese Medium Malaysia)
8. Tehmina Kaoosji (Journalists Alliance)
9. Radzi Razak (Gerakan Media Merdeka)
10. Ashwad Ismail (Astro Awani)
11. Jahabar Sadiq (Malaysian Insight)
It would also include media representatives from Sabah and Sarawak, the National Union of Journalists, and the Foreign Correspondents Club Malaysia.
Gobind said the pro-tem committee would be given two months to discuss and prepare a bill to set up the council and decide its functions.
The draft of the bill, he added, would examine five key areas, including the council’s objective and function, its constitution and membership, code of conduct, dispute resolution methods, and general provisions including reviewing current laws.
“The council will cover all types of media in Malaysia, including print, electronic and online media.
“It will strengthen and ensure media freedom, and the rights of media practitioners while ensuring more responsible media practices.”
Gobind said as a body that would also regulate the media industry, the council could also conduct monitoring based on the law, and act on public complaints about the media.
“I would like to thank all that have given their suggestions towards this formation and I hope that the pro-tem committee will consider all views from stakeholders when drafting the bill,” he added.