The government has launched a RM30 million Media Innovation Fund to help Malaysian media organisations stay competitive as the industry undergoes rapid digital and technological change.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the fund reflects the government’s recognition of the structural challenges faced by media organisations, particularly as traditional business models continue to come under pressure from digital disruption.
“The media industry is undergoing significant change. We recognise that media organisations need support to adapt to new technologies and changing audience behaviour while continuing to deliver quality and credible content,” he said at a press conference on Thursday.
What the Media Innovation Fund Is Designed to Achieve
At its core, the RM30 million allocation seeks to raise the overall quality and competitiveness of Malaysian media organisations.
It aims to encourage the production of more creative, interactive and high-impact media content, allowing newsrooms to explore new storytelling formats that better reflect how audiences consume information today.
At the same time, the fund focuses on strengthening the skills and capabilities of media practitioners, ensuring journalists and media workers are equipped to operate in an increasingly digital and technology-driven environment.
It also supports industry-wide transformation through innovation, including content development, media technology adoption and stronger digital strategies that can help organisations remain sustainable over the long term.
What the RM30 Million Fund Covers
The fund focuses on four key areas, each targeting a different need within today’s newsrooms.
First, it supports training and upskilling, allowing media organisations to run in-house programmes or send journalists and media workers to professional development courses recognised by the Communications Ministry.
Second, the fund supports software and technology adaptation, including the purchase or rental of tools needed for high-quality content production. This includes advanced media technology and the use of artificial intelligence (AI), in line with global industry trends.
Third, allocations may be used for technical equipment and support facilities, such as studio and recording equipment, to modernise newsroom and production capabilities.
Fourth, the fund also supports research and development, particularly for content innovation and digital strategies that help media organisations experiment with new formats and approaches.
According to the Communications Ministry, up to RM300,000 per organisation may be allocated for each supported programme area.
Who Can Apply
Phase One of the Media Innovation Fund will be open for applications from January 1 to January 14, 2026, with submissions to be made through the Communications Ministry’s official website.
Eligible applicants must be registered media organisations under the ministry and members of the relevant media regulatory body.
“We want to ensure that the allocation is implemented in an integrated and effective manner, and that it directly benefits organisations that are committed to strengthening Malaysia’s media ecosystem,” Fahmi said.
Preparing the Media Industry for the AI Era
Fahmi said the ministry will continue to monitor the implementation of the fund to ensure it meets its objectives, while reinforcing the media’s role in providing accurate, relevant and responsible information to the public.
He also stressed that the fund is intended to help journalists and media organisations embrace new technology without sacrificing jobs, especially as AI becomes more common in newsrooms.
“This is part of the government’s efforts to ensure that media freedom is always protected, that the media industry remains sustainable, and is able to withstand the wave of changes sweeping across the world, including through social media,” he added.
Sources: 1| 2
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