Communications and Multimedia Content Forum names Astro Radio's Kenny Ong chairman

The Communications and Multimedia Content Forum has elected Astro Radio CEO Kenny Ong as its new chairman. The appointment will see Ong (pictured) helming the position for a two-year term, succeeding outgoing chairman Khairul Anwar Salleh, CEO of Media Prima Television Networks.

As chairman, Ong will head up the council that sets the agenda on building a strong and agile self-regulatory framework for the communications and multimedia content industry. Together with members of the Council, he is responsible for executing strategies to achieve the vision of the Content Forum, which includes facilitating self-regulation and establishing best practices necessary for the growth of the content industry and the protection of its consumers.

Ong joined Astro Radio earlier this year to oversee its strategic direction, in particular, its brands and talent as well as drive radex growth. Ong also oversees Rocketfuel Entertainment which spearheads talent-driven digital content across the Group’s platforms. He was previously MD in Malaysia and head of special projects, Southeast Asia at Universal Music Group for more than five years.

“I am truly humbled and thankful for this responsibility entrusted to me, which is a privileged one that cannot be taken lightly. I look forward to not only uphold, but raise the bar on the good work that has been done by the Content Forum since its inception to govern content by self-regulation and assist all its organisations and members to uphold the Content Code’s objectives and principles,” he said.

According to him, the recent growth of the industry has necessitated a robust and dynamic approach in upholding the Content Forum’s objective while promoting self-regulation and adherence to the Content Code. Due to disruptions in technology, Ong explained that the content industry in Malaysia has evolved greatly in the past decade from "a one-way direction of information and content to what is now an extremely complex web of content creators and distributors".

"This renders regulation and oversight more challenging. Over the last 20 years, our industry, made up of various organisations, have proven competent in self-regulating content and managing a Content Code that balances creativity, innovation and healthy industry growth whilst protecting Malaysian culture, harmony and values," he said.

He added that the challenge now is to self-regulate and continuously update the Content Code that caters to a world of multiple complexities resulting from a new era of user generated content such as piracy, fake news, online scams, cyberbullying, hateful messages, e-commerce complaints, invasion of privacy and misleading information on products, services and platforms. At the same time, it is equally important to identify and help manage the emergence of new industries and players such as OTTs, live-streaming platforms, e-sports and the proliferation of social media influencers and KOLs.

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Universal Music Group's Kenny Ong joins Astro Radio as CEO