KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Media Council’s (MMC) official complaints mechanism is now open and fully operational to handle complaints relating to journalistic practices, media ethics and news content.
The council stressed that issues related to media content, such as the recent incident involving China Press, should be addressed through professional and institutional channels, rather than through pressure, intimidation or punitive action.
It said it has taken note that police reports have been lodged by certain parties in relation to the media content concerned, which has sparked public debate and widespread reaction.
MMC said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil had urged the council, as an independent statutory self-regulatory body, to ensure compliance with journalistic ethics and to promote responsible and accurate reporting, particularly among its members.
“The complaints mechanism is administered under the Code of Conduct and Complaints Committee and functions as an independent, transparent and non-punitive channel, in line with the principles of media self-regulation.
“MMC’s approach emphasises fair correction, mediation and editorial accountability, while safeguarding media freedom,” the council said following their board meeting on Jan 20 and 21.
Code of Conduct and Complaints Committee chairperson Datin Paduka Esther Ng said the board had thoroughly discussed and agreed on the mechanism for handling complaints submitted to the council.
“This paves the way for us to carry out our responsibilities in a structured and systematic manner, with clear standard operating procedures in place,” she said.
“This is one of the most important duties of the MMC, and it is imperative that this mechanism be operationalised without delay.”
Members of the public, journalists, media organisations and other stakeholders may submit complaints relating to journalistic practices, media ethics and news content via e-mail to aduan@majlismedia.my or by visiting MMC’s official website at https:/ /majlismedia.my/complaints/
