The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) recently announced that discussions were taking place between them, the Ministry of Communications and Digital (KKD), and online platforms, namely Meta and Google (TikTok is also scheduled for a meeting soon) to address challenges posed by online media.
The main topic grabbing headlines is the proposed licensing and regulatory framework on fair compensation for online news content creators. But the move is also to address the wider challenges posed by online media.
Regulation to address online harm
Some of these challenges include the dissemination of online harm pertinent to child sexual abuse material, online gambling, content inciting Race, Royalty and Religious discontent (3R), scams and phishing, the sale and promotion of illegal drugs and prohibited substances, impersonation, the spread of disinformation and fake news.
As such, Malaysia has also begun to consider adopting regulatory frameworks similar to those implemented in Australia and Canada.
Address imbalance in income between traditional vs digital platforms
Following Australia’s passing of the world’s first Mandatory News Media Bargaining Code, which have led Google and Meta to make voluntary compensation agreements with news outlets, have served as an example of the importance of fair compensation. Similarly, Canada’s Bill C-11 aims to regulate streaming platforms and requires them to support Canadian content.
Among these challenges are the imbalance in income for traditional Advertising Expenditure (ADEX) between digital platforms and local media to ensure fair compensation for news content creators.
KKD and MCMC have also acknowledged the rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology and how it might affect the digital ecosystem as a whole. As such, they aim to implement the rules of the road for its implementation for fair and wise practice.
This includes plans to encourage fair competition, strengthen intellectual property rights, protecting consumers from online harms and privacy.
