PUTRAJAYA: The validity period of the Media Certification Card for Malaysians working for international media in the country has been updated from one to two years, effective today, says the Malaysian Information Department.
The department said in a statement on Thursday (March 7) that the media card's validity period for government official media practitioners and local media, including online media, is two years.
However, it added that the media card validity period for non-Malaysians working with international media and on a long-term visit to Malaysia would only be one year.
For media practitioners who have annual contracts with media organizations, such as freelance staff like stringers who need to renew their contracts annually, the validity period is one year.
For online media practitioners who are newly registered with the department, the validity period of their media card is set at six months.
"This period ensures that these online media operate actively and legitimately and do not spread disinformation. After that, the approval period is the same as for the designated categories.
"This validity period will take effect immediately (March 7, 2024)," read the statement.
According to the Information Department, media card holders with active validity periods can apply for renewal after their media card expires.
All applications for registration of new media agencies and other media card applications are subject to the new media card validity period as stipulated above.
The guidelines that have been set as posted on the FAQ link at https://emedia.penerangan.gov.my/faq are still in effect and subject to all JaPen KPM holders.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil requested that the Information Department reevaluate the validity period of the media card for international and online media. – Bernama
