Malaysian Media Council appoints Founding Board members
KUCHING (July 15): The long-awaited Malaysian Media Council (MMC) has officially taken shape with the appointment of its Founding Board members today.
The appointees received their letters of appointment from the Ministry of Communications, marking a historic milestone for Malaysia's media landscape.
In a statement, the council expressed deep appreciation to the ministry for its steadfast support in realising the formation of a self-regulatory body for the media industry — an idea first mooted in the 1970s but only now coming to fruition after decades of advocacy and deliberation.
A major breakthrough came in 2019 under the then minister of communications and multimedia Gobind Singh Deo, who initiated the formation of a pro tem committee comprising representatives from across the media ecosystem.
The committee had submitted its report and draft legislation in July 2020.
Renewed political support in 2024 under current Minister of Communications Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching eventually saw the Malaysian Media Council Act 2025 passed unanimously in Parliament in February.
The Act has been hailed as a significant milestone for an independent, professional, and resilient Malaysian media landscape.
About the Malaysian Media Council
The Malaysian Media Council is an independent self-regulatory body for the media industry.
Its key roles include promoting the highest standards of ethical and responsible journalism, as well as establishing a code of conduct for the media industry.
Its other key roles include regulating the ethics and professional conduct of members, including investigating and mediating complaints, and facilitating communication between the media, government, and the public.
The council's other key roles are supporting law reform that advances media independence, promoting professional development of journalists, and maintaining a central information database on the media sector.
The council's Founding Board comprises representatives from media owners, professionals, and public interest groups, to reflect diverse representation.
Importantly, the Act mandates that at least 25 per cent of the board members must be from Sabah and Sarawak, and that the council must achieve gender parity in its leadership — a first for such a body in Malaysia.
The individuals appointed to the council are namely:
Media Owners: Phyllis Wong (The Borneo Post and Utusan Borneo), James Sarda (Sabah Publishing House), Premesh Chandran (Malaysiakini), and Ashwad Ismail (Astro Awani)
Media Professionals: Teh Athira Yusof (National Union of Journalists), Radzi Razak (Gerakan Media Merdeka), Ronnie Teo (Kuching Division Journalists Association), and Muthameez Manan (Tamil Media Association)
Public Interest Representatives: Gayathry Venkiteswaran (University of Nottingham Malaysia), Celine Lim (SAVE Rivers), Terence Ooi (Wiki Impact), and Azmyl Yunor (Sunway University)
At its first meeting, the board appointed Premesh Chandran as interim chairperson pending a full election later this year.
The board also announced that membership to the Malaysia Media Council will officially open in early August and close by the end of September.
Applications — with a nominal RM10 fee — can be submitted via the official website www.majlismedia.my.
Membership is open to media owners, practitioners, and organisations representing public interests within the media ecosystem.
The council's inaugural annual general meeting (AGM) is set for Nov 7 in Kuala Lumpur, where members will elect the full board and deliberate on key matters including the membership fee structure, industry code of conduct, complaint mechanisms, budget, and governing by-laws.
Interim chairperson Premesh Chandran noted the formation of the council is not a silver bullet.
'Building a credible, effective council that protects media independence and supports the viability of the industry requires a large, active, and committed membership. We invite all stakeholders to take ownership of this institution.
'It is a huge responsibility. I am deeply encouraged by our shared commitment to upholding media ethics and accountability, even before the council is formally operational,' he said.
Phyllis Wong, general manager of The Borneo Post and Utusan Borneo, said the council marks the beginning of a united voice for responsible journalism in Malaysia.
'It is a huge responsibility. I am deeply encouraged by our shared commitment to upholding media ethics and accountability, even before the council is formally operational,' she said.
For Kuching Division Journalists Association president Ronnie Teo, the council marks the start of 'a united voice for responsible journalism in Malaysia,' bringing together professionals from across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak.
'We believe this unified voice will be significant in strengthening our profession and its vital role in the nation,' he added.
Wiki Impact's Terence Ooi said the council represents a historic opportunity to reframe the relationship between media and the public – grounded in trust, truth, and transparency.
'As a representative of civil society, I am committed to championing inclusive narratives and ethical standards that reflect the diverse realities of our beloved nation,' said Ooi.
Astro Awani editor-in-chief Ashwad Ismail stressed that innovation cannot be at the cost of integrity.
He pointed out in an age where artificial intelligence (AI) is set to become a defining force in how information is created, distributed, and consumed, the role of media in society is more crucial than ever.
'The council must be a compass anchoring ethical journalism and strengthening public trust while ensuring that innovation advances without compromising integrity,' said Ashwad.
Radzi Razak, representing Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) stressed the establishment of the council not only reinforces a trusted system of self‑regulation, but also affirming the vital role of journalism in holding power to account and safeguarding the public's right to know.
Sunway University senior lecturer Azmyl Yunor underscored the council's potential in fostering democratic values and responsible narratives.
'As an artist-researcher representing both the creative arts community and higher education, my hope is that with the establishment of the council, stakeholders who shape media narratives will be held accountable by ethics and values that fosters a healthy democracy that in turn creates a society that is able to think for itself.'
Gayathry Venkiteswaran of the University of Nottingham Malaysia expressed hope that the council would drive broader reforms for media freedom.
'The council is the first major step towards decriminalising journalism and building a media accountability model that is based on code of conduct, professional standards, and public interest,' said Gayathry. lead Malaysian Media Council Premesh Chandran
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