FOREWORD a) The Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 provides for the Content Forum to prepare and draw up a Content Code after appropriate consultations and to enforce the Code containing governing standards and practices in the communications and multimedia industry. b) The Content Code which the Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia has adopted for the purpose of the statutory duty sets out the guidelines and procedures for good practice and standards of content disseminated to audiences by service providers in the communications and multimedia industry in Malaysia. c) The Content Code demonstrates a commitment toward self-regulation by the industry in compliance with the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588). It seeks to identify what is regarded as offensive and objectionable while spelling out the obligations of content providers within the context of social values in this country. d) What in essence the Content Code recommends, is guidelines for a responsible approach toward the provision of content and outlines procedures on self-regulation that will provide the platform for creativity, innovation and healthy growth of a fast changing industry. e) Aimed at facilitating industry self-regulation, the Act empowers the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to designate an industry body to be the Content Forum responsible for the preparation of a Content Code, or codes as the need may arise. f) Such a Forum and its processes are not novel to Malaysia. Previous arrangements relied heavily on industry-based advisory committees and the consultative processes. The Act formalises these processes to put more emphasis on greater industry self-regulation and selfdiscipline. 4