PETALING JAYA: The introduction of a proposed digital regulatory framework will give Malaysians better protection from online harm while providing a fair deal for the local media industry, say experts.
Universiti Malaya media and communications senior lecturer Dr Mumtaz Aini Alivi said that such a framework by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) would lead to better collaboration with leading online platforms by ensuring a level playing field for the local media industry.
"In some cases, governments may choose to collaborate with them to develop advertising standards and practices that benefit both parties.
"This collaborative approach can lead to self-regulation in the industry," she said when contacted on Tuesday (Sept 5).
She was asked if there would be some form of backlash from online tech giants if the government introduced a digital regulation policy to address online harm and media imbalance.
In February 2021, Facebook blocked news on its platforms to protest Australia's "Mandatory News Media Bargaining Code" which compelled Meta and Google to pay media companies for stories appearing on their sites.
However, a deal was struck between Facebook and Google and the Australian government a week later to avert the backlash, with voluntary compensation agreements with news outlets.
In April this year, Canada's Online Streaming Act or Bill C-11 received royal consent to regulate streaming platforms and require them to support Canadian content.
The MCMC had announced that it held talks with online platforms Meta and Google, which are behind Facebook and Instagram, on setting up a licensing and regulatory framework.
MCMC is scheduling a similar meeting with TikTok soon.
The MCMC is looking at the Australian and Canadian models to address online harm while creating a level playing field to address the imbalance in traditional advertising expenditure income between digital platforms and local media.
Mumtaz added that a digital regulation policy will also play a pivotal role in providing better protection against online harm, including the spread of hate speech, cyberbullying and fake news.
"These issues have become increasingly critical in our community, exerting a substantial impact not only on individuals, but on the nation as a whole.
"Currently, many individuals fall victim to online cheating and scammers, which leaves them feeling insecure about fully utilising this medium.
"The implementation of these regulations will provide them with assurance and confidence in the digital space," she said.
Although the government has the capability to block or filter websites and online content that were deemed to be in violation of Malaysian laws, she said not all content is weeded out.
"If we have a proper guideline like this, it would be better," she added.
UiTM Shah Alam political and social media expert Assoc Prof Dr Sara Chinnasamy said there is likely to be some resistance from civil society towards a digital regulatory framework, claiming it will curtail freedom of expression.
"This can be seen from neighbouring Singapore which has its own framework to regulate online portals where they have to go through a rigid process to get a licence and register.
"They may have indirectly suppressed freedom of expression but successfully countered online fake news and misinformation," she said.
She added that there will be some protest from civil society here if a digital regulatory framework is set up.
"But it is the least we can do because something has to be done with the latest technology convergence.
"Many people, especially retirees, have lost millions to online scams," she added.
Having a digital regulatory framework, she said, would also help strengthen the credibility of mainstream media in the eyes of the public.
Sara added that it was also fair that a level playing field is created to ensure compensation for local media outlets.
"They have to be fair to the local media outlets who are left with less than 20% advertising revenue compared to the 80% taken up by the dominant online platforms," she said.
Meanwhile, children's commissioner to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam), Dr Farah Nini Dusuki, said the proposal to set up a digital regulatory framework is a step forward in dealing with online harm.
Although MCMC and Cybersecurity Malaysia have many tools for parents to prevent their children falling victim to online abuse, such tools remain ineffective due to lack of awareness.
"Parents are generally not aware that many cases of sexual abuse are due to exposure to indecent content.
"We often see parents freely giving their smartphones to their young children to keep them occupied," she said.
She added that children nowadays are preoccupied with their smart devices, which may not have any safeguards.
