KUALA LUMPUR, February 27 – Malaysia’s Parliament has passed the country’s first-ever Media Council Bill, marking a historic step towards independent media regulation after more than 50 years of advocacy. The Malaysian Media Council (MMC), first proposed in 1974, aims to replace the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, promoting self-regulation within the industry.
The Bill outlines a structured governance framework, including a diverse board representation from media companies, media associations, and non-media members. Digital and Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil hailed the move as a major victory for press freedom, with expectations that the council will be fully operational by mid-2025.
