Communications and Multimedia CMCF of Malaysia (Forum Kandungan Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia)

The Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia (CMCF) is an independent self- regulatory body set up via the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA’98) in 2001 and operates under the auspices of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

Designated by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission on 29 March 2001, the CMCF is made up of six 'Ordinary' member categories, namely - Advertisers, Audiotext Hosting Service Providers, Broadcasters, Civic Groups, Content Creators/Distributors and Internet Access Service Providers.

The CMCF governs content by self-regulation in line with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Content Code (Content Code) which is a set of industry guidelines for the usage and/or dissemination of content via the electronic networked medium for public consumption.

The Content Code is enforced by the CMCF and it sets out the guidelines and procedures for good practice and standards of content disseminated over the electronic networked medium by service providers in the communications and multimedia industry in Malaysia. The CMCF through its Complaints Bureau shall receive, consider, mediate and if necessary, adjudicate and make ruling on matters such as complaints and grievances relating to alleged breaches of the Content Code.

Apart from that, a Content Advisory Centre (CAC) is under the CMCF’s setup whereby it aims to help provide advice on electronic content. As a result, the CAC provides assistance in order to avoid misinterpretation of the Content Code as well as practical advice on application of the Code. The advice covers commercial content such as advertisements on television, radio, Internet and the mobile platform produced by the industry players. The CAC also addresses enquiries from the public as well.

Since its existence, the CMCF has engaged in various efforts in cultivating awareness on self-regulation of content disseminated over the electronic networked medium. The CMCF aims to educate the masses on the benefits of self-regulation by conducting training sessions for the Content Code, engaging the public and the industry via conferences and seminars, as well as embarking on roadshows throughout the nation.

In keeping abreast with current developments of the electronic networked content in Malaysia, the CMCF has been continuously participating in seminars and workshops that specifically deal with electronic networked content. In addition, study trips were organized to regulatory bodies in several countries in order to gain exposure from the international regulatory framework as well as to exchange ideas and forge collaboration in terms of content self-regulation.

In 2009, the CMCF has embarked in a massive media campaign by publishing print advertisements in the nation’s major newspapers. The campaign commenced from the month of March 2009 until the end of April 2009. The newspapers in which the advertisements appeared in were The Star, The New Straits Times, Utusan Malaysia, Sin Chew Daily and Tamil Nesan. The campaign had ignited tremendous response from the public as well as the industry.

Pursuant to the media campaign, the CMCF had received positive feedback from the public and the industry. Numbers of enquiries and complaints from the public had escalated and the CMCF was approached by various organizations to develop collaboration efforts such as trainings, conferences and seminars. The media campaign had also triggered a series of media interviews and media appearances of the CMCF in the mainstream media. In brief, the print media campaign had been successful and the CMCF is planning to initiate its broadcasting media campaign in the third quarter of 2009.

The CMCF continues to pursue the efforts of content self-regulation by currently going through a process of review of the Content Code. The process of the Content Code review exercise is expected to be completed by the end of 2009 or early 2010. At the same time, the CMCF will continue to serve the public and the industry on matters pertaining to content disseminated via the electronic networked medium. The CMCF will continue to strive to meet the national policy objectives of the communications and multimedia industry in Malaysia.

Complaints and enquiries can be made to the CMCF’s Complaints Bureau by:

· E-mail to secretariat@cmcf.org.my ;

· Filling in and submitting the online Complaints Form at our website www.cmcf.org.my ; or

Writing directly to us to the address below:

The Complaints Bureau,

Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia (CMCF),

Unit 1206, Block B,

Pusat Dagangan Phileo Damansara 1,

9, Jalan 16/11, Off Jalan Damansara,

46350 Petaling Jaya,

Selangor Darul Ehsan,

Malaysia.

Tel: +603-79548105/+603-79583690 Fax: +603-79541260/+603-76608532

Website: www.cmcf.org.my E-mail: secretariat@cmcf.org.my