The media industry should continue to rely on self-regulation rather than excessive government oversight in order to safeguard its independence and credibility, Deputy Communications Minister Datuk Teo Nie Ching said.
Speaking during a dialogue session on Monday, Teo stressed that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) should not assume the role of regulating the media industry, despite increasing challenges posed by digital platforms, fake news and online misinformation.
“Frankly speaking, I do not want MCMC to be the regulator for media. That is not my intention and that should not be the role played by MCMC,” she said.
Teo acknowledged that the rapid growth of digital media has transformed the way information is produced and consumed, making issues such as misinformation, manipulated content and fake news more widespread than ever before.
However, she maintained that professional standards and ethical guidelines should be established by the industry itself rather than through direct government intervention.
According to Teo, organisations such as the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) are better positioned to develop and enforce media ethics, as they understand the realities and responsibilities of modern journalism.
“The code of ethics should come from MMC and other media organisations because we encourage self-regulation rather than regulation imposed by law,” she said.
Her remarks underscore the government’s preference for an industry-led approach to media governance, where journalists, editors and media organisations play a central role in maintaining accountability and professional standards.
As the media landscape continues to evolve alongside emerging technologies and social media platforms, the debate over regulation and press freedom remains a key issue for both policymakers and industry stakeholders.
