MCMC reinforces role as news outlets call it out for causing media curbs

The Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has reinforced the commission’s role in regulating the communications and multimedia industry in Malaysia in a new statement.

The statement was in response to several articles titled ‘MCMC must stop playing big brother’, said MCMC. In the articles, senior journalists called out the organisation for causing media curbs. MCMC said that the organisation is guided by the provisions of the Communications and Multimedia Act of 1998, which entrusts the commission to carry out its functions.

According to media reports, the senior journalists including Johan Jaaffar and A Kadir Jasin, former Bernama chairman Azman Ujang, former editors-in-chief of Bernama, Yong Soo Heong and Zakaria Wahab as well as veteran media activists Hussamuddin Yaacob, Chamil Wariya, and G Manimaran. It said that it strongly disapproves of any attempt to use government agencies like the MCMC to question, censor or block portals and online news content.

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“One of MCMC’s primary legal duties is to ensure online platforms are not used for the purpose of committing the commission or attempted commission of any offense under the written laws of Malaysia,” the statement said. It added that it will taking necessary actions to tackle issues such as the spread of false information, offensive content as well as issues pertaining to defamation.

The reason why MCMC has taken a stronger stance against news outlets is that in recent times, there has been an alarming increase in news reporting which lacks responsibility, sensibility and accuracy, it said. “Some news outlets have been found responsible for spreading misleading information or intentionally publishing inaccurate content,” it explained.

MCMC also added that with the rise of converged media, the problem has become more prominent. Converged media is where user-generated content gains traction and ethical reporting takes a backseat.

“MCMC has been taking the initiative to hold dialogues and meeting with news outlets in addressing outstanding concerns and issues, MCMC remains resolute in executing its regulatory obligation to ensure the integrity of information and maintain societal harmony,” the statement concluded.

Not only is MCMC clamping down on inaccurate news reporting, but it has also been strict with social media and tech conglomerates. Earlier this year in June, MCMC took legal action against Meta for its failure to cooperate in removing undesirable content from its platforms. MCMC stated that the significant volume of undesirable content relating to the aspects of race, royalty and religion as well as defamation, impersonation and online gambling has caused it to be harder on these platforms.

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