GOVT WANTS MEDIA COUNCIL SET UP SOON

Govt leaves it to media practitioners to discuss the matter, says PM adviser

THE government wants the establishment of the Malaysian Media Council advocated by the media since 1974 to be expedited, Prime Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Datuk A. Kadir Jasin said.

He said the government, however, would not be involved in the process and had left it to media practitioners to discuss the matter.

“I am happy that traditional, electronic and online media editors have started discussions and forums to set up the council.

“I have spoken to the parties concerned, suggesting that the establishment process be expedited. Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been informed, ”he said at the 2018 National Media Forum: Realising Pakatan Harapan Era Media Freedom here yesterday.

He said the government was willing to work with media organisations to provide the council with legal backing in the form of legislation, including placing the council under the auspices and funding of Parliament.

He hoped the group discussing the setting up of the council could formulate the council’s framework before the end of the year.