PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Information Department has extended the validity period of the Media Certification Card for Malaysians working for international media in the country from one year to two years starting today.
The department announced on Thursday (March 7) that the media card’s validity period for government official media practitioners and local media, including online media, has also been extended to two years.
However, for non-Malaysians working with international media and on a long-term visit to Malaysia, the validity period of the media card remains at one year.
Freelance staff, such as stringers, who have annual contracts with media organizations are required to renew their media card annually with a validity period of one year.
Newly registered online media practitioners will initially have a validity period of six months for their media card to ensure that they operate actively and legitimately without spreading disinformation. After the initial period, the approval period aligns with the designated categories.
“This change in validity period will be effective immediately as of March 7, 2024,” stated the department.
Media card holders with active validity periods can apply for renewal once their media card expires, according to the Information Department.
All applications for registration of new media agencies and other media card applications must adhere to the new validity period set by the department.
The guidelines outlined in the FAQ link on the department’s website are still in effect and applicable to all JaPen KPM holders.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has requested the Information Department to review the validity period of the media card for international and online media practitioners. – Bernama
