KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Media Council Bill, aimed at establishing a media council to develop and implement a code of ethics for reporting, has been tabled in Dewan Rakyat today.
The bill is also aimed at empowering the country's journalism profession, ensuring news reporting by the Malaysian media is conducted responsibly.
The first reading of the bill was tabled by Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching.
"The second reading of the bill will be tabled in the next session," she said.
Based on the blue book of the bill, the Council will have several functions, including setting standards and establishing a code of conduct for media practitioners and independent media practitioners in line with the standards of ethical and responsible journalism.
The Council shall also promote the highest standards of ethical and responsible journalism, media independence and the rights of media practitioners.
"Additionally, it is also to regulate the ethics and professional conduct of media practitioners and independent media practitioners.
"It also encourages communication between media practitioners and the government and public, while suggesting any reforms to the law relating to media independence," it said.
In terms of powers granted, the Council, among others, can conduct an inquiry on any complaint or information received against media practitioners and independent media practitioners through a grievance mechanism.
At the same time, it also said if it comes to the knowledge of the Council that there is an alleged breach of the code of conduct committed by any Council member, the matter shall be dealt with by the grievance mechanism and disciplinary proceedings.
There shall also be no legal action, suit, or prosecution brought against the Board or its committees for any act, neglect, or omission carried out in the course of their duties under the act.
This is unless it can be proven that it was done in bad faith or without reasonable cause.
On matters relating to the appointment of the board, the blue bill said matters relating to the chairman of the Council shall not be a member of any legislature, or any person who is actively involved in politics, registered with any political party or any member of the public services.
It also seeks to provide that, for the nomination and election of board members, a media company deemed to have common ownership with other media companies shall not have more than one representative.
In this context, a media company is considered to have common ownership with other media companies if two or more media companies share the same majority shareholder, the media company has control over other related media companies, or if the media company is a subsidiary of a holding company or a group of companies.