Malaysian Press Freedom at All Time Low

Press/Media Freedom Index of Malaysia by RSF

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Ever since Reporters Without Borders published its World Press Freedom Index ranking in 2023, Malaysia's ranking is at an all-time high of 73rd. The country's media industry has entered a temporary carnival. When all signs seemed to indicate that a unity government would take a far-reaching step on the road to democratization. Until now, all the good hopes seem to have become fragile bubbles. Press freedom in Malaysia has once again been dragged from the brink of dawn to the abyss. According to the "World Press Freedom Index 2024" report released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on 3 May, Malaysia's ranking has fallen significantly to 107th, down 34 places from the all-time high of 73rd last year.

Regrettably, going back over the past two decades of data, Malaysia has only twice achieved a breakthrough in this ranking, both of which occurred after a change of regime. At the beginning of the new government's administration, there was no wrongdoing, and the relationship with the media was relatively harmonious, and each other felt good. After a honeymoon, the scandal could not be concealed. When we try to look beyond the phenomena to the essence, what is holding back the healthy development of the media in Malaysia?

Reporters Without Borders' Press Freedom Index consists of five scores: political, economic, legislative, sociocultural, and security. Let's start from a political point of view.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, Image by TheEdge Malaysia

The media in Malaysia faces significant political pressure from the government and ruling party, often lacking respect and facing prosecution when their reports are unfavorable. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has downplayed the Press Freedom Index, yet crackdowns on the press persist. Recent incidents, such as police investigating Bloomberg over reports on Johor Forest City and petrol subsidies, highlight the government's intolerance for negative coverage. Prime Minister Anwar's suggestion that foreign media attacks are driven by external forces, such tactics are often used by China to deflect criticism.

In Malaysia, there is a clear hierarchy between economics and politics, so we cannot look at the economy in isolation. The large number of state-owned companies and private companies owned by political factions are undoubtedly a major obstacle to healthy journalism. It is not surprising that many influential media have gradually become mouthpieces for interest groups. The oil palm industry is known to damage the environment, but you are unlikely to see environmental news about it on mainstream TV channels.

Sociocultural factors may also be a key factor in the historic regression of Malaysia's Press Freedom Index. Within a year of the new government taking office, the ruling party and the public were engaged in bitter disputes over religion, race, and gender. With numerous internal contradictions and constant provocations from right-wing conservative forces, the so-called progressive and open-minded unity government seems to be not inclusive, but constantly making concessions. From the total ban on LGBT topics, to the import blockade of Swatch rainbow watches, to the extremely strict concert approval standards, the Malaysian government seems to intend to go down this road to the end. It is not surprising that the implementation of such policies has pushed Malaysia down 23 places in the sociocultural index.

"Due to Malaysia's censorship of media related to any LGBT community, public awareness of such issues is inevitably limited," said Kenji, a journalist from Taylor's University. "I believe the media needs the authority to explore matters comprehensively."

The only score that did not fall this year was in the area of safety, where Malaysian journalists are rarely compromised for covering sensitive issues, which is one of the most comforting things for us as media practitioners. Compared to journalists in many wartime countries, we don't need to worry about gunfire and grenade attacks. We will not be subjected to bottomless persecution by governments and individual politicians for the crime of speaking.

While journalists in some countries have been jailed or assassinated for a business story that exposed an interest group, there are almost no such cases in Malaysia. Please do not underestimate this index, the media, as the fourth estate, has always been an annoying role, but also a respectable profession. Once the safety of media workers is not guaranteed, our country also loses any possibility of progress and democracy.

Reporters Without Borders came up with Malaysia's ranking by sending out an anonymous questionnaire to journalists, researchers, academics, and human rights activists on the five indicators used in the World Press Freedom Index. This conclusion may, to some extent, inherit the Western world's old tradition of discrediting Asia's developing countries, but it cannot be denied by Anwar's simple "implausible" statement.

"We cannot deceive ourselves!" said Natalia from Penang. "Both the government and media professionals need to reflect. Malaysia should become the country with the best news environment in Southeast Asia."

While the index cannot be regarded as the only iron rule for judging Malaysia's media environment, its important reference value must not be overlooked. In addition to security, the sharp decline in other indices is undoubtedly a wake-up call for the Malaysian potentate and powerful groups. There are multiple culprits causing this phenomenon, so we need to make improvements in various areas. Whether it’s the government or democracy, culture or economy, the media with positive influence should play a greater role. Malaysia's current awkward ranking calls for serious reflection and change.