Media Must Balance AI Regulation, Press Freedom To Preserve Public Trust
KUALA LUMPUR, May 7 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s media industry must balance compliance with evolving Artificial Intelligence (AI) regulations and the preservation of press freedom to maintain public trust in an increasingly digital news landscape.
Free Malaysia Today Managing Director Azeem Abu Bakar said media practitioners have a professional duty to stay abreast of regulations related to online safety and misinformation, like the Online Safety Act 2025, which aimed to promote accuracy, curbing misinformation, protecting children and addressing online scams.
“It is our responsibility to stay aware of the rules. Failing to adhere brings legal repercussions but more importantly, these rules help preserve trust in the media system we operate in,” he said during a panel session titled “Shaping the Future of Malaysian Media in the Digital and AI Era” at a media forum here today.
Organised by the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), the forum serves as the flagship opening programme for the series of events held in conjunction with National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) 2026.
Azeem said the media’s relationship with its audience was crucial, warning that a loss of public trust would lead to declining engagement and ultimately affect business sustainability.
At the same time, he cautioned against regulations becoming overly restrictive, saying excessive rigidity could unintentionally affect media freedom and slow the development of AI innovation.
Azeem said some regulations risked suppressing information and stressed that professional practitioners must remain anchored to honest journalism despite laws being created by humans.
“The rules are there as reference and for us to adhered to, but we must always ask ourselves wheather we are being honest with our audience,” he added.
Meanwhile, AI and Digital Transformation Specialist Charles Gregory, who also took part in the session, said overly rigid legislation could hinder technological progress and innovation even as governments and digital platforms increasingly introduced AI-related policies.
“The rules are part of our boundaries. There are already national AI policies, such as those introduced in Singapore, as well as platform-level controls, but there is still no rigid law yet. If we impose too much rigidity, AI innovation cannot expand, and that is dangerous for progress,” he said.
Charles also warned that the current digital landscape remains vulnerable to manipulation by individuals capable of exploiting search engines and AI systems, as AI models absorb whatever data they are fed, regardless of whether it is truthful or fabricated.
“That is why governance and intent matter. If something has the potential to be harmful or dangerous, there must be proper guidance,” he said.
The forum was officiated by Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching and brought together media organisation heads, including representatives from Sabah and Sarawak, foreign media agencies in Malaysia and stakeholders across the country’s media landscape.
Organised by the Ministry of Communications with Bernama as the implementing agency, HAWANA stands as the country’s premier platform in recognising and appreciating the contributions, dedication and professionalism of media practitioners in Malaysia.
-- BERNAMA
