The government is seeking deeper cooperation with Google and TikTok to help Malaysian media organisations build revenue beyond advertising, as traditional income keeps draining towards social platforms.
Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the ministry is exploring Project Sigma 2.0 with Google, along with openings that involve the Malaysian Media Council, the Content Forum and TikTok (NST).
Fahmi said the ministry “intends to pursue several initiatives, such as Project Sigma 2.0 with Google”, and wants the Malaysian Media Council and the Content Forum to carry the TikTok talks forward.
He spoke at a press conference after officiating the CVSKL Foundation’s Health Screening Programme for Journalists, an event aimed at newsroom staff.
The advertising shift has done real damage. Annual traditional advertising spending has fallen to about RM2 billion from RM4 billion to RM4.5 billion, with the money moving to TikTok, Facebook and YouTube (The Star). Fahmi told the briefing the change has placed considerable pressure on news organisations and added to financial and operational strain across the industry.
Government support runs through the Media Innovation Fund, which carries a further RM30 million for its second phase and takes applications from 1 Nov to 14 Nov. The first edition drew 72 media companies, which shared RM30 million in backing (Berita RTM).
Five areas fall under the fund: training for personnel, software and technology adoption, equipment procurement, content research and development, and subscriptions to news services and media content. The fifth area is new, added to four categories carried over from the earlier round.
In his speech, Fahmi criticised some major technology platforms for failing to cooperate adequately with efforts to support traditional media. He said certain companies were using their connections with the White House to avoid giving sufficient cooperation, though he did not name them.
He has made the same argument before. Speaking on a podcast last month, he questioned whether it was wise to place all local content on foreign platforms, warning that a policy change or a shutdown could cost those channels of communication, The Star reported.
Media companies may choose their own technology and vendors, including artificial intelligence tools. Fahmi said the new tools should make newsrooms more productive rather than open the way to indiscriminate retrenchments.
Berita RTM reported that media organisations must not retrench staff arbitrarily to qualify for the fund. Fahmi also urged companies facing financial difficulty to approach the ministry so that the help on offer can be matched to their needs.
