RM30 Million Media Innovation Fund Won't Undermine Media Freedom - Teo

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 (Bernama) -- The Communications Ministry has stressed that the RM30 million Media Innovation Fund rollout will not undermine media freedom in reporting current issues, but is instead aimed at strengthening the resilience of the local media industry amid challenges posed by the digital ecosystem.

Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching said the fund was introduced to support local media organisations in their digital transformation, following shifts in the advertising landscape that have seen revenue increasingly diverted to global platforms such as Google and Meta, affecting traditional media outlets.

She said the government’s intention was not to ensure favourable coverage or allegiance from the media, but to help local media organisations remain relevant and competitive in the digital era.

“This fund does not come with conditions that compromise journalistic principles, such as requiring media to only praise the government. I follow local media closely, and they are very critical of government actions.

“They do not merely praise the government but also scrutinise and criticise,” she said in reply to Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden (PN-Alor Setar) during Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.

On the transparency of fund distribution, Teo said a special committee has been established to assess and select eligible applications.

The committee is chaired by the Communications Ministry deputy secretary-general and includes representatives from the Department of Information (JAPEN), the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), and relevant agencies, she said.

Teo also said that today marked the first day of pitching sessions by fund applicants, with 10 organisations scheduled to present their proposals, while another 29 will be called in subsequent sessions.

“The committee will evaluate each application and determine whether or not it should be approved and the appropriate amount of funding to be awarded,” she said.

The deputy minister said the Media Innovation Fund offers financing of up to RM300,000 per application and is open to legally registered local media organisations that meet the stipulated eligibility criteria, including registration with JAPEN.

She added that the fund is expected to help create a healthier and more sustainable media ecosystem, while enabling media organisations to adapt to the latest technologies without compromising the quality of news reporting.

-- BERNAMA