‘Use official complaints channel’: Fahmi urges public to report ethical media concerns to Malaysian Media Council

Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said members of the public who have complaints regarding the ethics of local media reporting can channel them to the Malaysian Media Council. — Bernama pic

First Published: Saturday, 03 Oct 2026 2:17 PM MYT

SHAH ALAM, Oct 3 — Members of the public who have complaints regarding the ethics of local media reporting can channel them to the Malaysian Media Council (MMM), said Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil.

He said any grievances should be channelled through the proper avenues to avoid misunderstandings and actions that could affect the integrity and credibility of the media industry.

“If it concerns reporting by the media itself, I would suggest that members of the public, who have concerns about a news headline or anything they wish to raise with the media, use the official complaints channel through the MMM. There is a link that can be accessed,” he said.

He said this after officiating the Madani Kita Programme with the Kota Anggerik @ Shah Alam community here today.

Yesterday, the Putrajaya Media Club (KMP) lodged reports with police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) regarding a social media post that allegedly edited images of media personnel into images of animals.

The irresponsible act involved photographs of a group of photographers and journalists covering former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s visit to the grave of his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, at Pusara Negara, Putrajaya, on Thursday (Oct 1).

Elaborating, Fahmi said MCMC had identified several social media accounts found to have disseminated offensive content by misusing artificial intelligence (AI) applications to edit images of Tun Dr Mahathir during the period following Tun Dr Siti Hasmah’s passing.

“The authorities will take action. I personally noticed that the account has disappeared. We are not yet sure whether it was a fake account, but the MCMC, together with the police, is tracking down the parties responsible for producing extremely offensive content in this matter.

“To members of the media, I would also like to offer a reminder that we should give space and respect the family’s wishes while they are grieving. Let us pray that Tun Dr Mahathir and his family remain strong in facing this great ordeal,” he said. — Bernama