With online content now spreading through algorithms, AI, and even viral WhatsApp messages, regulating digital media is more complex than ever. As the Content Forum reviews its Content Code, Malaysians are being asked to help shape how we handle harmful content, misinformation, and free speech. We spoke to Mediha Mahmood, CEO of the Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia, about the push for self-regulation — and how the advancement of AI raises new ethical risks.

Other stories we covered:

• Children are vaping drugs: Students as young as 13 are reportedly using vapes laced with dangerous drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine, prompting calls for stronger regulation. We spoke to Prof Dr Mohamad Haniki Nik Mohamed, leader of the Smokefree Sejahtera Campus Community Flagship 3.0 at IIUM, about the health risks of drug-laced vapes and whether banning them could curb youth drug abuse.
• Translating Malay literature for the world: Literary translator and creative director of PUSAKA, Pauline Fan, has been shortlisted for the prestigious English PEN Translation Grant for her proposal to translate the historical novel Hari-Hari Terakhir di Jesselton by Ruhaini Matdarin. We spoke to Pauline about her choice of novel and the challenges of securing financial support for translation work.
• Don't legitimise war criminals: Activists warn ASEAN against legitimising Myanmar’s military junta, led by Min Aung Hlaing, following a recent meeting with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. They argue this could strengthen the regime and hinder peace efforts. We spoke to Mo Thuzar, coordinator of the Myanmar Studies Programme at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, and James Bawi, chairman of the Alliance for Chin Refugees, about ASEAN's role in the crisis.
• Signs of alien life?: Scientists may have found signs of alien life on a distant planet, thanks to data from the James Webb Space Telescope. A mysterious gas linked to living organisms was detected in K2-18b’s atmosphere, though its connection to alien life is still uncertain. We discuss what the discovery could mean.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Produced by: Dashran Yohan, Tee Shiao Eek, Sneha Harikannan, Sudais Ferhard

Presented by: Lee Chwi Lynn, Dashran Yohan

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Tags:  content forum,  content regulation,  english pen translation grant,  hari-hari terakhir di jesselton,  translating malay works,  war criminal,  min aung hliang,  james webb telescope,  dms,  dimethyl sulphide,  content code,  media council,  mcmc,  ai,  artificial intelligence,  misinformation,  modern media,  vaping,  fentanyl,  methamphetamine,  drug abuse,  malay literature,  junta,  myanmar,  asean,  anwar ibrahim,  aliens,  extraterrestrial life,  exoplanets,  cambridge university,  nasa,  k2-18b,