KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's decision to split the Communications and Digital (KKD) into two different ministries in the Cabinet reshuffle is a strategic move, in line with today’s communication landscape.
Academics, youth activists and media practitioners view the field of communication as not only focused on the media industry. On the contrary, if studied and understood more deeply, communication is a broad field.
Universiti Teknologi Mara’s (UiTM) Communication and Media Studies lecturer Muhammad Azril Izuan Ramlan said the challenge of communication is much greater now with the existence of various social media platforms compared with the past which was only limited to electronic and print media.
"We often see cases of video clips with defamatory elements going viral on social media covering various issues, where the spread of such clips should be curbed through effective communication planning to ensure that only authentic information is received by the community.
"In this regard, the advocacy aspect such as the portal Sebenarnya.my is crucial to create awareness among the public to make an accurate assessment before sharing any information, as well as serve as a reference for the community to be more careful and not be easily deceived into becoming a victim," he said in a statement.
He said such matters which were often generated by irresponsible individuals can be curbed and managed more effectively through a more focused communication regulation.
He also added that the placement of key agencies such as the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Information Department (JaPen) under the Ministry of Communications led by Fahmi Fadzil should also be seen from the point of view of management and administration, in line with MCMC's function as a regulator for communications in the country and JaPen with its role in disseminating information to the public through the existing platforms.
The placement of the Community Communications Department (J-Kom); the Tun Abdul Razak Broadcasting and Information Institute (IPPTAR); the Broadcasting Department; the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) and MyCreative Ventures under the Communications Ministry is also a positive step that shows the government's readiness for rapid development in technology and changes in community communication patterns, he said.
In the Cabinet reshuffle announced by the Prime Minister on Tuesday (Dec 12), the ministry was split into two different ministries - the Communications Ministry and the Digital Ministry, led by former communications and multimedia minister Gobind Singh Deo.
Meanwhile, youth activist Muhammad Khair Noor Hisham said the decision to split certain ministries as announced was capable of creating a more strategic, orderly and structured focus, as well as having a positive impact on the management system and the implementation of sustainable policies.
Muhammad Khair, who is also deputy chairman of the Mental Health Aid Association (Nyawa), said that the move to split the ministry can structure a more effective approach to facing the current challenges of communications that demand more focus.
"For the Communications Ministry, among the issues which need to be given special emphasis are fake news; fraud (scam); social media issues, and the field of journalism, while the Digital Ministry needs to focus on aspects of digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI) and the modernisation of government administration,” he said.
TV3 News and Current Affairs senior executive producer Mior Abdul Malek Raiyani said the digital aspect which is included under the communication sector has undergone a very rapid revolution, making its role now extend to the economy and security of the people and the country.
He said that the rapidly changing communication landscape, coupled with the challenges of various social media platforms, has allowed any individual to create their own content.
He added that media practitioners appreciate the speed of information obtained, but one more process needs to be done to obtain the validity of an issue shared.
"Therefore, the decision to place several agencies such as JaPen and MCMC for information, communication and regulation to the community under the Communications Ministry is apt and timely,” he said. - Bernama
