Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil (left) visiting RTM producer Irwan Budi Annuar at his home in Kuching. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star
KUCHING: The government is looking into the specific mechanism that can be used to ensure tech platforms like TikTok, Google and Meta contribute to the Malaysian media industry whose content they use, says Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
Fahmi said the three companies use a lot of content produced by Malaysian media organisations to generate their own advertising revenue.
“After a meeting of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the ministry with TikTok, Google and Meta, I have held discussions with the MCMC on the need to register and license these platforms.
“We see a need to perhaps consider a mechanism for these three platforms to contribute back to the Malaysian media industry,” he added.
Fahmi said he would continue to study this issue to ensure the media ecosystem in Malaysia was sustainable and healthy.
“We don’t only want to help reporters and staff that have fallen on hard times but also the media industry itself,” he told reporters after visiting RTM producer Irwan Budi Annuar, who has kidney and lung complications, at his home here.
Fahmi presented a donation to Irwan from the Tabung Kasih@Hawana, which was set up to help media personnel in need of assistance.
“For each case that we visit, the situation may be different. Some face other issues besides health problems.
“I’m taking the opportunity through these visits to better understand the issues and problems faced and we will try to find a holistic and sustainable solution,” Fahmi said.
Besides Irwan, Tabung Kasih@Hawana assistance was also presented to former New Sarawak Tribune sports editor Juary Mesa, who suffered a stroke in 2021.
The contribution was handed over by the Hawana 2023 secretariat.
