KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 25): Media as the fourth estate need to be given space to provide checks and balances as well as oversights on governance as long as it is within the ambit of the law, said Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil. 

He said in return, state-owned media agencies and privately owned media are expected to serve the interests of the rakyat, and not to fulfil any unseen agenda or any personal, private interests.

“I think as long as it is clear that the initiatives, the kind of stories, journalistic activism ⁠— if I may say that way ⁠— serve the rakyat, I think it will benefit the nation.

“When media start acting on behalf of certain parties, certain individuals, or vested interests, we have to assess them to make sure that they do not run against the principle of good governance,” he said in an exclusive interview with Bernama recently. 

When asked about allegations made by certain factions that the current Government is trying to restrict media freedom, the minister said: “No, we are not trying to restrict media freedom. We are trying to stop slander. Bribery is bribery, even if you call it a donation."

Fahmi said his ministry is working closely with social media service providers, and they had been informed of the Malaysian law and culture in which they would have to acknowledge and operate within.

He said most media platforms are equipped with artificial intelligence programmes to sift through and remove materials that are contrary to the platform community guidelines.

“We have no intention of shutting down or curbing the use [of social media,] but we are drawing the line, so that if anyone were to cross or to transgress the law, law enforcement will automatically take action. 

“It's just like if you were to write or post something which runs contrary to the community guidelines for those apps. I think we have the community guidelines on how these apps navigate freedom of speech while adhering to the law, but [in Malaysia] we also have our law and culture, so I think these will help to navigate a lot of these new terrains,” he said. 

He said this when asked about the ministry's course of action to navigate issues pertaining to the 3R ⁠— race, religion and royalty ⁠— as user-generated content is bombarding the alternative media landscape. 

On suggestions that Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 should be repealed, Fahmi said it is not a priority at the moment, but the law must not be abused.

He said his ministry is expected to make some announcements in May that will be good for the press, and for the people who consume news, in conjunction with National Journalists Day (Hawana).

Hawana, which is celebrated annually on May 29, is the recognition and appreciation of the Government for media practitioners to honour their contributions in helping to develop the country and strengthen unity.