Media practitioners have welcomed the appointment of former Federal Court judge Nallini Pathmanathan as chairperson of the Media Council, expressing confidence that her judicial experience will strengthen media freedom, integrity, and credibility in the country.
Malaysian Press Institute president Yong Soo Heong said Nallini’s legal background provides a strong foundation for the council’s leadership, ensuring its decisions and policies are guided by justice, transparency, and accountability.
“A respected former judge brings a perspective that is independent of political and commercial interests, ensuring that the Media Council’s decisions and policies are grounded in fairness and the public interest.
“This gives confidence that the council will be guided by high standards of integrity and balanced judgment in addressing media-related issues,” he told Bernama today.
Yong said such an approach would help reinforce public confidence in the media’s role as a key democratic institution.
National journalism laureate A Kadir Jasin said the appointment aligns with the original vision behind the council’s establishment, which called for it to be led by an independent, impartial, and credible figure.
He noted that the idea dates back to proposals for a National Union of Newspaper Editors in the 1980s.
“That was also my stance when I launched the plenary session for the formation of the Media Council in 2018 alongside then communications minister Gobind Singh Deo, in my capacity as special adviser on media and communications to then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“We not only wanted the Media Council to be independent, but also to be seen and trusted as independent. The appointment of a former senior judge undoubtedly fulfils that prerequisite,” he said.
Kadir said he was confident that, with industry-wide cooperation, the council under Nallini’s leadership would further strengthen media freedom and professionalism.
Council needs stronger legal footing
Meanwhile, Malaysian Media Clubs Association president Fauzi Ishak said the appointment presents an opportunity to enhance the council’s role, including reviewing the Media Council Act to provide clearer statutory powers.
He said this would enable the council to better protect members’ rights and address complaints and issues affecting the media industry.
“The Media Council has received various complaints from media practitioners, but some cannot be addressed or acted upon due to the absence of clear legal provisions or authority,” he said.
Fauzi added that the appointment comes at a critical time, as the industry grapples with misinformation and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence.
He said Nallini’s experience, integrity, and credibility would provide fresh leadership and help foster a healthy, professional, and accountable media ecosystem.
“We need leadership that not only understands the industry’s challenges, but is also capable of defending media freedom while maintaining high standards of accountability among practitioners.
“Most importantly, the Media Council must remain an independent and impartial institution, free from the influence of vested interests, so that confidence in its role can continue to grow among both the industry and the public,” he said.
Earlier today, the Media Council announced Nallini’s appointment as chairperson of the self-regulatory body established under the Media Council Act 2025.
Her appointment was unanimously endorsed by Media Council board members at a meeting on May 26. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.