BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Malaysia is spearheading the development of the Asean Guidelines on the Safe and Responsible Use of Social Media Platforms, recognising the growing challenges associated with social media use.
Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching, who is leading the Malaysian delegation at the 17th Conference of Asean Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI), said that the initiative aimed to provide harmonised guidance for the region, produce a comprehensive report assessing social media regulations across Asean member states, and ultimately support practical guidelines reflecting Asean's unique context.
"We are now in the crucial phase of information gathering and expert consultations. At this stage, questionnaires have been circulated, and we have requested nominations for interviews and participation in validation workshops.
"These efforts are vital to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the benchmarking exercise, and they will significantly strengthen the quality of the guidelines we aim to develop,” Teo said in her remarks during the plenary session held after the opening ceremony of the 17th Conference of AMRI on Wednesday (May 7).
She added that all Asean member states' contributions were essential to creating a safer, more responsible social media environment for the region.
Teo said digital expansion had exposed users to greater risks, including scams, online harassment, hate speech, and disinformation.
She said a truly united Asean Community must be built on strong, inclusive, and trusted media and information ecosystems, calling for Asean member states to collaborate and realise the vision toward a resilient, responsive, and truly connected Asean by 2035.
She highlighted several significant Asean-led efforts, including the Asean Guideline on Management of Government Information in Combating Fake News and Disinformation, endorsed at the 16th AMRI in Da Nang in September 2023.
It includes the Asean-Australia Workshop on Managing Government Information, held from Oct 1 to 3 last year, in Jakarta, which allowed delegates to exchange strategies and national experiences in countering disinformation, she said.
Teo also reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to media cooperation, digital literacy, and content co-production.
On the 17th Conference of AMRI, themed 'MAJU-Media Advancing Joint Understanding: Transforming Media’s Role in Advancing Cooperation and Mutual Understanding in Asean', Teo said it reflects a collective commitment to transform media into a participatory platform that is inclusive, accessible, and responsive to the needs of all communities across the region.
Also in the Malaysian delegation are Information Department (JaPen) Communications and Community Development Service Division director Muhammad Najmi Mustapha and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) chief corporate and international officer Syahrilazli Mahammad.
The delegation also includes MCMC director II (Asean and Bilateral) Fatin Nabiha Ab Aziz, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) executive editor for International News Service Mohd Shukri Ishak, as well as other high-ranking officials from the Communications Ministry and its agencies. — Bernama
