KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 5 — Malaysia is mulling regulations for internet giants Google and Meta to compensate news outlets for content.
The country is in discussions with Google, Meta and other major online platforms over the regulatory framework, said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in a statement after meeting with officials from both companies.
The proposed regulations will be similar to rules in Australia, which in 2021 made it compulsory for Google and Meta to compensate media outlets for content that generates clicks and advertising dollars, said the MCMC.
The MCMC is also mulling rules similar to Canada’s Bill C-11, which aims to regulate streaming platforms and requires them to support Canadian content.
It said the rules are part of government efforts to address “imbalances” in income for digital platforms and local media, and to ensure “fair compensation for news content creators”.
The MCMC said it is in discussions with the platforms to address online harm such as child sex abuse material, online gambling and financial scams.
Malaysia has increased scrutiny of online content under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s administration.
Earlier this year, Malaysia said it will take legal action against Meta for failing to act against harmful content on Facebook, but later dropped the plan after meetings with the company.
— Reuters
