PENANG, 24 June 2026 – Google announced the launch of Project Berita and Project Sigma 2.0 in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications Malaysia and Majlis Media Malaysia (MMM) at the National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) 2026. These initiatives seek to advance the future of Malaysian journalism by helping news organisations navigate changing audience behaviours, ongoing technological transformations and the growing demand for future-ready media skills.
Building on the success of the initial 2024 pilot, Google is introducing Project Sigma 2.0 to support up to 20 small-to-medium-sized news organisations across Malaysia with frameworks, tools and consulting strategies to better engage Gen Z audiences, who comprise approximately 26% of the nation’s population.
In response to the launch, Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Minister of Communications, said that the Government is committed to ensuring that media practitioners continue to have opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills in emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI).
“In line with this commitment, the Ministry of Communications fully supports the implementation of Project Sigma 2.0, an initiative led by Google Malaysia in collaboration with the Malaysian Media Council (MMC). The project aims to equip media professionals with the tools, insights and competencies needed to adapt to the rapidly evolving digital landscape and leverage AI responsibly in their work,” he said.
In addition, to help local media navigate the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, Google and MMM are also introducing Project Berita which focuses directly on closing technical skills and capacity gaps across the journalism ecosystem. Developed through extensive industry consultations, this programme equips media professionals at different career stages with the practical tools needed to thrive in an AI-driven landscape. The execution is targeted at aspiring and established media professionals, including:
- For entry-level talent, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia will roll out the #AiYOH (AI Literacy Empowerment Workshop) to universities nationwide to inspire future-ready careers.
- For mid-career journalists and senior newsroom leaders, the Malaysian Press Institute will facilitate specialised AI and newsroom management training.
Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan, Chairman of Majlis Media Malaysia said,
“A strong and trusted media ecosystem requires collective effort from across the industry. As the profession continues to evolve, it is important that publishers, journalists, educators and industry experts work together to share knowledge, foster professional growth and uphold the highest standards of journalism. Partnerships such as this with the Ministry of Communications and Google are instrumental in building public confidence in the media and supporting the long-term sustainability of Malaysia’s journalism ecosystem.”
Kate Beddoe, Managing Director of News Partnerships, APAC, Google said,
“We are grateful to the Ministry of Communications and the Majlis Media Malaysia for this collaborative partnership in helping build a more resilient, innovative and forward-looking news ecosystem in Malaysia. The future of journalism belongs to people with the confidence to innovate. Through Project Sigma 2.0 and Project Berita, we are bringing together newsroom experimentation, industry expertise and practical training to help publishers better understand evolving audience behaviours while equipping journalists at every stage of their careers with the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to thrive in an increasingly digital and AI-powered landscape.”
More details on Project Sigma 2.0 and Project Berita will be announced soon.