ASEAN Member Countries to Host Roundtable Meeting on Online Service Licensing
Malaysia will host a roundtable meeting on online service licensing among ASEAN member countries in January next year (2025). The decision was made during the 21st ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting Responsible For Information (21st SOMRI), which took place in Ha Long, Vietnam, on Wednesday.
Proposal and Agreement
The Ministry of Communications, through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), presented a paper titled “Proposal to Hold a Roundtable Meeting to Explore Perspectives on Licensing Online Services Operating on Social Media Platforms and Messaging Apps within ASEAN Member States” during the meeting. ASEAN member countries have unanimously agreed and welcomed the MCMC’s proposal to hold a roundtable meeting in Kuala Lumpur in January 2025.
Objectives of the Roundtable Meeting
The roundtable meeting will provide a platform to share perspectives, experiences, and challenges related to the licensing of online services among ASEAN Member States. The outcomes of the roundtable meeting will be included in the ASEAN Social Media Guidelines, which have been proposed by Malaysia to enhance online regulation and governance.
Malaysia’s Efforts to Transform the Media
During the 21st SOMRI meeting, Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Communications, shared Malaysia’s efforts to transform the media in line with ASEAN’s AMRI Vision 2035 and the Da Nang Declaration. Malaysia’s three main goals are to promote technology for media transformation and accessibility, combat fake information, enhance media resilience, and ensure inclusivity for all communities.
Key Initiatives
The three key initiatives emphasized by Malaysia are AI-based digital and communication services along with social media engagement, digital literacy programmes to combat fake information, and inclusive media content, particularly for underrepresented groups.
Future Directions
Malaysia also emphasized future directions, such as collaborating with ASEAN dialogue partners to create diverse content, strengthening social media regulations to ensure transparency, and enhancing the capacity of broadcasters to showcase ASEAN’s cultural diversity. Datuk Mohamad Fauzi expressed confidence that with collaborative efforts, ASEAN can collectively create a more inclusive region.
Conclusion
The roundtable meeting on online service licensing is an important step towards enhancing online regulation and governance in ASEAN. The meeting will provide a platform for ASEAN member countries to share their experiences and challenges in licensing online services, and to work together towards creating a more inclusive and transparent online environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of the roundtable meeting on online service licensing?
A: The purpose of the meeting is to share perspectives, experiences, and challenges related to the licensing of online services among ASEAN Member States.
Q: What are the objectives of the roundtable meeting?
A: The objectives of the meeting are to provide a platform for ASEAN member countries to share their experiences and challenges in licensing online services, and to work together towards creating a more inclusive and transparent online environment.
Q: What are the key initiatives emphasized by Malaysia?
A: The key initiatives emphasized by Malaysia are AI-based digital and communication services along with social media engagement, digital literacy programmes to combat fake information, and inclusive media content, particularly for underrepresented groups.