By DayakDaily Team
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2: The Media Innovation Fund 2.0 initiative is a key catalyst for strengthening local media companies’ competitiveness, enhancing their technological capabilities, and ensuring the industry’s sustainability as it navigates the challenges of the digital landscape, said Malaysian Media Council (MMC) chairman Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan.
She said the fund’s introduction was timely, given the industry’s struggle to keep pace with rapid technological advancements, the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI), intense competition from digital platforms, and changing public preferences in accessing information.
In this regard, Nallini supported Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil’s reminder that employers of companies receiving the fund should not terminate employees arbitrarily.
“Amid the advancement of AI and digital technology, the media industry must continue to nurture and protect the talent and workforce that form the backbone of the industry itself.
“For instance, the work of media practitioners is being used by AI systems, yet the journalists who produce the content are not given due credit. Therefore, the human role of journalists remains crucial in delivering credible news,” she told Bernama.
Applications for the fund opened yesterday and will close on Nov 14 via the official website.
Meanwhile, Media Chinese International Limited (MCIL) (Malaysia) Group editor-in-chief Datuk Kuik Cheng Kang said the fund demonstrated the government’s commitment to helping media organisations chart a new direction while safeguarding the rights and welfare of media practitioners.
He acknowledged that mainstream media organisations were currently undergoing an extremely challenging phase of transformation, as revenue from digital business had yet to generate sufficient returns to cover their overall operating costs.
He said substantial expenditure was required to maintain fully equipped newsrooms, professional editorial teams and nationwide coverage networks.
“The reality is that without large-scale workforce reductions, it is extremely difficult for a media organisation to remain viable by relying solely on digital revenue. This may sound harsh, but it is the reality that media operators have to face.
“Of course, we do not want job cuts, let alone media practitioners losing their livelihoods as a result of the industry’s transformation. However, if the organisations themselves fail to operate sustainably, how can the welfare of their employees continue to be protected?” he said.
Kuik therefore suggested that the government also consider ways to help media companies develop sustainable business models, ensuring the industry can retain top talent and produce responsible journalism.
“Times may change the way media organisations conduct business, and technology may transform news channels, but society’s need for truthful information, professional judgement and the media’s role in providing checks and balances must never be eroded,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Tribune editor-in-chief Sharaimei Shaik Ahmedullah described the fund as an important lifeline to strengthen digital publishing operations and enhance workforce skills.
He said Malaysia Tribune, which had previously benefited from the first phase of the Innovation Fund, had allocated the funding to improve the operational efficiency of its news portal and strengthen the competitiveness of its digital platform.
“Overall, the Media Innovation Fund has the potential to help Malaysia Tribune enhance its organisational capabilities in terms of technology, human resources and content innovation, thereby strengthening its position in an increasingly competitive digital media landscape,” he said.
Commenting on the employee retention requirement, Sharaimei welcomed the minister’s reminder, saying it was important to ensure media employees’ welfare remained protected alongside the government’s financial assistance.
Last Friday, Fahmi announced an allocation of RM30 million under the Media Innovation Fund 2.0 to continue efforts to strengthen the local media industry, covering areas such as digitalisation, talent development and the adoption of new technologies, including AI.
He said the initiative continues the Media Innovation Fund announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in conjunction with National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA).
The Media Innovation Fund 2.0 offers five funding areas, namely training for media personnel; software and technology adaptation; equipment, hardware and support facilities; content research and development; and a new category covering subscriptions to news services and media content. — Bernama
