MMC Bill 2024: A historic milestone for press freedom, ethics - MPI

Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) president Datuk Yong Soo Heong praised the government's efforts, particularly those of the Communications Ministry, in engaging media professionals, especially the protem committee to balance diverse media interests in forming the council.

He said while the proposal on establishing such a body began in 1973, significant momentum was gained with earnest deliberations starting in early 2023.

"The MMC Bill's clarity on its various functions such as setting standards, creating a code of conduct for media practitioners and promoting the highest standards of ethical journalism, media independence and the rights of media professionals is certainly groundbreaking.

"The Bill's provisions empowering the MMC to regulate the ethics and professional conduct of media practitioners signify a pivotal move towards self-regulation within the media industry," he said in a statement today.

Furthermore, Yong welcomed the encouragement of communication between media practitioners, the government and the public.

"In addition, the MMC's ability to propose reforms related to media independence laws, alongside its coordinating and facilitating roles in the training and professional development of journalists will certainly yield significant benefits for the local media industry," he said.

The Malaysian media industry made history today with the passing of the MMC Bill 2024 in the Dewan Rakyat, a move aimed at ensuring press freedom while providing the public with accurate, credible and fair information.

The establishment of MMC will create a platform for media practitioners, the industry and the government to collaborate, discuss challenges and develop strategic solutions, all while charting the course for Malaysia's journalism landscape.