Google launches program for news publishers in Malaysia

Tech giant Google has launched the Google News Initiative’s Advertising Revenue Lab Malaysia, supported by the Ministry of Communications (MoC).

This program aims to empower small and medium-sized news publishers in Malaysia, equipping local newsrooms with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in the evolving media landscape.

The Advertising Revenue Lab Malaysia is the latest addition to the Google News Initiative (GNI) programs, working directly with publishers of all sizes to enhance their digital advertising capabilities and foster sustainable business models.

It will provide technical and product training, along with hands-on support for optimizing websites, improving audience engagement, and increasing advertising revenue.

Malaysia’s Minister of Communications Fahmi Fadzil said the ministry welcomes and appreciates Google’s initiative to improve media sustainability in Malaysia.

This collaboration marks a crucial milestone for the Malaysian news industry, he added.

By equipping news publishers with essential digital tools and expertise, their business models can be enhanced, ensuring a diverse, more sustainable, and thriving local news ecosystem, he added.

According to Rafiq Razali, group managing director of Media Prima Berhad, who has assisted the Ministry of Communications on projects related to the news publishing industry, the launch of the initiative marks a positive development for Malaysian media as it empowers publishers to optimize their digital platforms and strengthen their advertising strategies.

This new program will help Malaysian news publishers thrive in the digital age by providing them with tools and training and helping to ensure the future of journalism in Malaysia, said Farhan S. Qureshi, country director for Google Malaysia.