PUTRAJAYA: The government’s Media Innovation Fund will pay out a total of RM10.3mil to 34 media organisations under the first phase of the initiative, says Datuk Fahmi Fadzil on Friday (Feb 27).
The Communications Minister revealed that the first phase drew 50 applications from media organisations, with 34 of them being approved.
Meanwhile, the second phase, which ran from Feb 9 to Feb 22, saw 19 media organisations applying for the fund.
The third phase of the initiative, which aims to assist news outlets in adapting to changing times, will commence on Sunday (March 1) and end on March 14.
“The fund is not just about embracing technology but in ensuring media outfits can stay relevant, competitive and deliver accurate, ethical and quality information to Malaysians.
“The response shows growing confidence and eagerness among industry players to innovate,” he said at a press conference here after a meeting with the Cabinet.
Fahmi said that the initiative was also a catalyst aimed at building a progressive and sustainable media ecosystem, especially with rapid changes taking place in the industry.
An RM30mil allocation for the fund was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the National Journalists’ Day (Hawana) 2025 to spur the media industry to transform its business models along with the digital era, embrace new technologies, uphold content quality and improve the skills of the workforce.
