Malaysia seeks wider platform cooperation to diversify media income
Proposals involving Google and TikTok aim to reduce reliance on advertising, while another RM30 million has been allocated for media innovation.
Malaysia is considering broader cooperation with Google and TikTok to help news companies earn revenue from sources other than advertising, Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said.
At a press conference in Petaling Jaya, Fahmi outlined potential initiatives including Google’s Project Sigma 2.0 and cooperation with TikTok through the Malaysian Media Council and Content Forum. He said advertisers’ move towards social media had strained news organisations’ finances and operations.
Government support also includes an additional RM30 million allocated to the second phase of the Media Innovation Fund. Applications will run from Nov 1 to Nov 14. Funding covers training for personnel, adoption of technology and software, equipment purchases, research and development for content, and subscriptions for media content and news services.
Fahmi said media businesses could pick vendors and technologies, including artificial intelligence tools, according to their operational needs. He cautioned against indiscriminate job cuts, saying technological changes should instead raise productivity. Companies experiencing financial problems could seek help from the ministry, he added.
