Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching reaffirms Madani government’s commitment to press freedom, citing MMC’s role.
PETALING JAYA: The government remains firm in its commitment to uphold media freedom as a key pillar of democracy but expects journalists to exercise that freedom responsibly and in line with professional ethics, said Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching.
Responding to Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad (BN-Simpang Renggam) in the Dewan Rakyat today, Teo said the media plays a vital role in ensuring transparency and accountability while delivering accurate and balanced information to the public.
“The government will not deny media freedom, but it must be practised responsibly,” she said.
ALSO READ: Housing Minister reaffirms commitment to media freedom after recent controversy
Teo added that the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) was established under the Malaysian Media Council Act 2025 (Act 868), effective June 14, to strengthen ethical and professional standards across the industry.
The council, which held its first annual general meeting on Nov 7, saw 50 per cent of its appointed members being women; an achievement Teo described as a milestone for inclusivity in the media sector.
“During the AGM, the Code of Conduct and Complaints Mechanism were approved with amendments, marking a significant step toward building a stronger and more credible media ecosystem.”
She added that the council operates on the principle of “of the media, by the media, for the media”, serving not only as a watchdog for journalistic ethics but also as a platform to address public complaints against irresponsible reporting.
In response to a supplementary question from Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas) concerning Malaysiakini’s report on alleged fake Facebook accounts linked to government propaganda, Teo said the administration will not summon any media outlet merely because it disagrees with their reporting.
“In this government, I will not call Malaysiakini to record a statement. I believe there are some on the Opposition bench who might shut down such media simply because they disagree, but the Madani government will not do that,” she said.
Teo stressed that this respect for media freedom distinguishes the current administration from previous ones.
She also addressed the issue of fake accounts and disinformation, noting that Meta had already issued an official statement denying any unusual activity related to the alleged accounts.
“Meta has clarified that no abnormal activity was detected. Of course, fake accounts do exist, mostly used for scams. A Reuters report also revealed that around 10 per cent of Meta’s 2024 revenue came from scam-related advertisements.”
Teo reiterated that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s administration remains committed to respecting press freedom and will not censor dissenting views.
“Even if there are articles we disagree with, we state our position. It doesn’t mean every disagreement warrants calling in the media for statements.”
Post Views: 1
