PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Media Council Bill has received Cabinet approval and will be tabled in Parliament next week, says Fahmi Fadzil.
The Communications Minister described the development as a positive milestone for the nation’s media landscape.
“I hope this will be good news for the media. The Malaysian Media Council Bill was approved by the Cabinet today for tabling in Parliament next week,” he said during the ministry’s weekly press conference here on Friday (Dec 6).
Fahmi added that there was a possibility the Bill would be debated and would proceed to its second reading during the current parliamentary session.
“If time permits, it will be debated and have its second reading this session. Otherwise, it has been scheduled for the next sitting,” he said.
Expressing optimism about the progress, Fahmi said, “It’s on track, finally.”
On Oct 14, Fahmi said the Communications Ministry had submitted the draft of the Malaysian Media Council Bill to the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) for final review.
The Bill’s approval came following calls by various media groups for the establishment of a regulatory body aimed at safeguarding press freedom and promoting ethical standards in Malaysian journalism.
