Fahmi: Media organisations should be able to earn from social media livestreams, govt to engage TikTok on monetisation rules

BUKIT JALIL, May 24 — Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said Putrajaya is prepared to engage with TikTok over possible monetisation mechanisms for Malaysian media organisations.

He said the move followed concerns raised by media industry representatives that their organisations were unable to generate income on some social media platforms, even when their official content attracted significant viewership.

“I have therefore requested, and I am willing to hold discussions with TikTok, to explore what can be done for Malaysian media.

“For example, when media organisations go livestream and attract tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of viewers through official accounts, they are still unable to receive Gifts or monetisation benefits, even though viewers are engaging because of the media brand itself.

“I believe there needs to be some form of balance from platforms such as TikTok,” he told reporters after the closing ceremony of the Youth Festival at National Youth Day 2026 for the Federal Territories here today.

According to TikTok’s support page, Gifts can only be sent to videos by personal accounts, while business, government, political and other public interest accounts are not eligible to send or receive Gifts.

Fahmi said the discussions would look at possible solutions for Malaysian media organisations, particularly those with official accounts producing high-performing live content.

He said the matter raised questions of fairness and balance in how digital platforms treat traditional and institutional media, adding that platforms such as TikTok should consider adjustments.

Separately, on the matter of the 3Rs — race, religion and royalty — Fahmi said the current legal framework remained sufficient, and that there was no immediate need to review the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Act.

He said the main concern was with social media platforms and how they enforced rules against harmful content.

He said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had recently issued two codes aimed at strengthening online child safety, which platforms are required to comply with.

“We are seeing many fake accounts being created, particularly to produce content related to the 3Rs. After the content is created and distributed, these accounts are then taken down.

“There is therefore a criminal element involved, which must be strongly addressed,” he said.

Fahmi said enforcement action and platform accountability were being closely monitored, with notices already issued to some companies.

“We will examine the response from social media platforms. Some have already received notices of demand from MCMC, such as TikTok, while others, such as Meta, have cooperated,” he said.

He said social media platforms must clearly outline the measures they are taking to reduce the spread of harmful content related to the 3Rs.

المصدر: Malay Mail