Should there be more

or less government
regulation of the
media in democratic
societies.
What is Media?

Definition of media groups that communicate information and

news to people.
Three main types of news media
1. Print media
2. Broadcast media
3. Internet
Development of Media Law and
Regulations in Malaysia

In the 1980s & 90s, government control over the mainstream

print & electronic media was strengthened.
Opposition and foreign media were restricted.
However, a different approach was adopted with regard to ICT
and the new media beginning from 1980.
Hence, telecommunications and television were privatized.
Development of Media Law and
Regulations in Malaysia
In the mid-1990s, the Ministry of Energy, Communications and
Multimedia was established .
Communications and Multimedia Commission (or MCMC)
was established as the regulatory agency for communications
and multimedia.
Development of Media Law and
Regulations in Malaysia
A new Act, the Communications and Multimedia Act , was
legislated in 1998.
It was to replace all previous regulations pertaining to this area.
Thus private electronic media is primarily regulated by the
Ministry of Energy, Water, Communications and Multimedia.
The government electronic media remains under the control of
the Ministry of Information.
Legal Environment of Malaysia

Article 10 of the constitution

The 1948 Sedition
Does not require the prosecution to prove intent
Issues Regarding
Media Regulation
Arrest of Malaysiakini Journalist

Malaysiakini journalist Susan Loone has been arrested under the

Sedition Act
Malaysiakini chief editor Fathi Aris Omar condemned the arrest.
"The investigation on Loone is downright harassment of media
personnel who are merely doing their job as journalists.
Malaysiakini views this as yet another form of intimidation in a
long series of attack on press freedom.
Political cartoonist- Zulkiflee
Anwar Haque
Political cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Haque, (Zunar), was
questioned by the police regarding his latest book, Komplot
Penjarakan Anwar (Plot to Jail Anwar).
Three of Zunars assistants and the company that manages
online sales of the book were questioned.
Appeals Court decision in October rejecting a government charge
against Zunar.
 Government
Regulation On
Internet
Government Regulation On
Internet
Since July 2015, the Malaysian government has blocked at least
ten websites
Currently, the government is planning to table the amendments
to both the Official Secret Act (OSA) and the Communication &
Multimedia Act (CMA).
Section 211 and 233 of the CMA
The Sharing Of Indecent Post

Under Section 233 of the CMA if a person creating or distributing

something thats indecent for bad purposes, would be fined up
to RM50,000 and/or be thrown in prison for up to a year.
The government also considering the removal of the bad
purposes part.
Government Has The Power To
Block Certain Site
The site owners often find themselves blocked without any
reason or warning.
Blocking power of MCMC
1. Fast-track blocking
2. Pre-emptive blocking
3. Blocking with court order
Conclusion

There should be government regulation of the media in

democratic societies.
However, the regulation should only be imposed on races and
religion issues.
Disunity of society may happened if races and religion issues go
viral via the media.
The government should not impose other regulation except for
races and religion issues.
Truth may be buried if other regulation is being imposed.
Government can hide their wrong doing using the censorship of
media.
Thank you