Media Council Bill Still Flawed Rues Wan Saiful

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Ahead of its second reading at the Dewan Rakyat tomorrow, Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan said there are still flaws in the Media Council Bill 2024.
Among others, he said the inclusion of two government representatives on the council’s 21-member board would undermine efforts to set up the council as a self-regulatory body for the media industry.
“As a self-regulatory body, the council’s members should comprise only those who represent the media industry and media practitioners.
“The presence of two government representatives will only nullify the council’s legitimacy as a self-regulator, especially if the representatives are infamous for repressing media freedom,” said the Perikatan Nasional communications portfolio chief in a statement today.
Another issue is funding for the council.
Wan Saiful noted that the bill does not guarantee the government can’t use funding for the council to restrain it from performing its role.
“The bill does not guarantee that, so there is a risk its funding could be weaponised to de-fang the media council if it takes a different stance than the government,” he said.
He expressed concern that civil society groups have also criticised the bill, but there is no indication the government is listening.
“And as long the people’s voices are not being heard, this agenda is merely ‘decoration’ that will not bring about true institutional reform.”

Code of conduct
The bill had passed its first of three readings at the Dewan Rakyat on Dec 12 last year.
Civil society groups and the news industry had long lobbied for a media council to self-regulate the industry, and for that self-regulation to replace repressive media laws like the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.
Under the Media Council Bill, the council would establish standards and a code of conduct for all media practitioners, regulate their ethics and professional conduct, and recommend reforms to laws related to media independence.
It would also set up a “Malaysian Media Council Fund” for receiving money to promote awareness and provide education about the media industry but is barred from receiving foreign funds except with the communication minister’s approval. - Mkini

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