Setting up of media council to get priority, says Teo

 

Deputy communications and digital minister Teo Nie Ching said the government would respect press freedom and recognise the important role played by media practitioners. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The establishment of a media council will be given priority by deputy communications and digital minister Teo Nie Ching.

She said this was in line with the aspirations expressed by the minister, Fahmi Fadzil.

Teo said the government would respect press freedom and recognise the important role played by media practitioners in the country.

“We hope to set up a professional media council so that it can regulate the media industry and ensure that there is no politically motivated interference,” Teo told Bernama.

“Fahmi and I are old friends. I intend to help him in ensuring that media freedom will continue to be strengthened.”

Teo said this after taking her oath of office as deputy minister at Istana Negara today.

Fahmi was reported to have said that he needed to get details regarding the proposed establishment of the media council from media industry players, especially journalists’ associations, besides giving an assurance that press freedom and the welfare of media practitioners would be given priority.

Teo said she would also work to curb the spread of fake news. “Fake news is a threat that is happening around the globe. All parties need to play an important role. As the deputy minister, I will ensure it will not threaten the country’s democracy,” she said.

Teo, who is with DAP, was elected to a third term as MP for Kulai in the general election last month with a majority of 36,023 votes.

The 41-year-old Teo, who hails from Batu Pahat, Johor, was deputy education minister in the Pakatan Harapan government of 2018-2020.- FMT