PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has announced that it is considering the introduction of a regulatory framework to address the challenges arising from the ever-changing landscape of online media.
MCMC held a discussion with online platform owners Meta and Google at MCMC headquarters in Cyberjaya on September 4. The discussion was co-chaired by Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, secretary general of the Ministry of Communications and Digital (KKD), and Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din, chairman of MCMC. Also present were MCMC commission member Derek Fernandez and representatives from the Royal Malaysia Police.
The challenges mentioned during the discussion encompass various issues such as the dissemination of child sexual abuse material, online gambling, content that provokes Race, Royalty, and Religious discontent (3R), scams and phishing, the sale and promotion of illegal drugs, impersonation, and the spread of disinformation and fake news, as stated in the MCMC statement.
MCMC has also scheduled a separate meeting with social media platform TikTok to discuss the same issues, although the date for the meeting has not been disclosed.
The commission is exploring the possibility of implementing a regulatory framework similar to those established in Australia and Canada, which require social media platforms to compensate news outlets for their content.
“Malaysia also considers adopting regulatory frameworks similar to those implemented in Australia and Canada. KKD and MCMC are engaging in discussions with major online platforms, including Meta and Google, to establish a licensing and regulatory framework,” the statement mentioned.
Furthermore, MCMC highlighted that the enforcement of the “Mandatory News Media Bargaining Code” in Australia led to both Google and Meta voluntarily entering into compensation agreements with news organizations.
In Canada, Bill C-11 aimed to regulate streaming platforms and mandated their support for locally-produced content.
“By following the examples of Australia and Canada, the engagement of KKD and MCMC with online platforms demonstrates their commitment to addressing challenges in the digital market. These challenges include the income disparity between digital platforms and local media in terms of traditional Advertising Expenditure (ADEX), to ensure fair compensation for news content creators,” stated the MCMC.
The statement also acknowledged the increasing importance of artificial intelligence (AI) and the intention of KKD and MCMC to establish regulations for its implementation, aiming for fair and responsible practices. This includes measures to promote fair competition, enhance intellectual property rights, and protect consumers from online harms and privacy breaches.
“As Malaysia navigates the digital age, KKD and MCMC are committed to creating an environment where digital platforms operate fairly, responsibly, and in the best interest of the public,” the statement concluded.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
