Malaysia up 19 spots to 88th in press freedom index
Malaysia scored 56.09 points in this year's World Press Freedom Index, climbing 19 spots to 88th after a sharp drop last year.
PETALING JAYA : Malaysia has climbed 19 places to 88th spot in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, according to the latest report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
The country scored 56.09 points this year, a recovery from its 2024 slump when it plunged 34 places to 107th with a score of 52.07.
However, the new ranking still falls short of Malaysia's 2023 position at 73rd.
Despite the gain, RSF continues to classify Malaysia's media landscape as being in a 'problematic situation'.
In the Asean region, Malaysia remains second behind its neighbour Thailand (85th), but ahead of Brunei (97th), the Philippines (116th), Singapore (123th), Indonesia (127th), Laos (150th), Cambodia (161st), Myanmar (169th), and Vietnam (173th).
Last February, the government introduced a journalism code of ethics to address challenges posed by social media.
The Malaysian Media Council Bill was passed in both houses of Parliament in March, paving the way for an independent body to oversee the media.
However, RSF and other watchdogs still urged Malaysia to repeal colonial-era laws such as the Sedition Act 1948 and the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.
The World Press Freedom Index assesses press freedom across 180 countries based on factors such as political context, legal framework, media independence, transparency, and journalist safety.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
31 minutes ago
- The Star
Asean TVET Council must chart a clear path forward, says Zahid
MELAKA: The Asean TVET Council 4th Regional Policy Dialogue (ATC 4th RPD) must chart a clear way forward for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi ( pic ). He said the dialogue is about building an Asean-wide ecosystem, one that places TVET at the centre of the region's future, with the Asean TVET Council as the nerve centre that connects policies, aligns standards, and drives shared growth. "First, we must expand TVET access to rural communities, especially youth, because the future cannot be built on urban skills alone. "In Malaysia, GiatMara, a long-standing TVET institution under Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) and my ministry, has shown what's possible. It has equipped rural youth with skills, and over 50 graduates have become millionaires in various technical fields," he said in his keynote address at the ATC 4th RPD, themed "TVET for Rural and Regional Advancement" here on Wednesday (June 11). Also present were Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh, Melaka State Secretary Datuk Azhar Arshad, Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang and representatives from Asean, Germany and Australia. He emphasised that Asean must work to bridge the skills gap by promoting industry-driven, demand-based training programmes. According to him, the region needs a talent pipeline shaped by the needs of factories, plantations, and emerging green industries across Asean, and to achieve this, it requires industries to co-develop training, share apprenticeships, and open cross-border job opportunities. "Thirdly, we must build TVET as a full ecosystem, aligning education, industry, infrastructure, certification and digital access, all guided by data and coordinated by ATC," he said. Ahmad Zahid said that as Asean Chair this year, Malaysia is ready to coordinate and lead. "We propose the formalisation of Malaysia as the Asean TVET Certification and Excellence Hub, and we look forward to the full support of all member states in making this a shared regional legacy," he said. He said TVET is no longer on the sidelines, as it now stands at the very centre of national economic strategies, and in this global race for relevance, skills are the new currency. "Malaysia is not only championing skills development, but also laying the groundwork for Asean to become a TVET powerhouse. "Let us work together to ensure TVET remains accessible, relevant and future-proof for all. Let us commit to building an Asean where no talent is left untapped and no community is left behind. "With the right mix of training, mentorship and market access, TVET becomes a powerful tool for poverty eradication and generational change," he said. – Bernama
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Sudanese army retreats from Libyan border after alleging Haftar attack
FILE PHOTO: Members of the Sudanese army walk next to destroyed military vehicles after a battle with Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the capital Khartoum, Sudan March 25, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo DUBAI (Reuters) -The Sudanese army retreated from the Libya-Egypt-Sudan border triangle area, it said on Wednesday, a day after it accused forces loyal to eastern Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar of an attack alongside the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Sudanese soldiers, largely from former rebel groups aligned with the army, had patrolled the area. Sudan's military, which is fighting against the RSF in a civil war, accuses the RSF and Haftar's forces of using the corridor for weapons deliveries. The area is close to the city of al-Fashir, one of the war's main frontlines. "As part of its defensive arrangements to repel aggression, our forces today evacuated the triangle area," the Sudanese army said in a statement without elaborating. Late on Tuesday, Haftar's forces had denied participating in a cross-border attack, saying forces allied to the Sudanese army had attacked Libyan patrols. Sudan accuses the United Arab Emirates, one of Haftar's backers, of being behind the weapons deliveries, which the UAE denies. Egypt, a close ally of the Sudanese army, also backs Haftar. (Reporting by Jana Choukeir and Ahmed ElimamWriting by Nafisa EltahirEditing by Peter Graff)
Malaysia Sun
3 hours ago
- Malaysia Sun
India and Malaysia hold 10th Navy-to-Navy Staff talks in Kuala Lumpur to boost maritime cooperation
Kuala Lumpur [Malaysia], June 11 (ANI): The Indian Navy delegation, led by Rear Admiral Shantanu Jha, NM, participated in the 10th Navy-to-Navy Staff Talks with the Royal Malaysian Navy held in Kuala Lumpur on June 10. The Royal Malaysian Navy delegation was led by First Admiral Harisundar Rajoo, Senior Director, Operations and Training. During the talks, both sides discussed ongoing bilateral naval engagements and outlined plans for future collaborative activities. The Indian Navy, in a post on X, stated, 'Rear Admiral Shantanu Jha, NM, led the #IndianNavy delegation for the 10th Navy to Navy Staff Talks with the #RoyalMalaysianNavy, at Kuala Lumpur on 10 June. #RoyalMalaysianNavy delegation was led by First Admiral Harisundar Rajoo, Senior Director, Operations and Training. Both sides held discussions on ongoing bilateral naval engagements and outlined plans for future collaborative activities.' In parallel to the naval dialogue in Kuala Lumpur, India also expanded its diplomatic outreach in the region. Secretary (East) P Kumaran met Permanent Secretary, Brunei Darussalam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hajah Johariah Binti Abdul Wahab, on the sidelines of East Asia Summit Senior Officials' Meeting (EAS SOM) in Malaysia's Penang on Tuesday. During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to further deepen the enhanced partnership between India and Brunei and cooperation under ASEAN and other frameworks. In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, 'Secretary (East) P. Kumaran met Ms. Hajah Johariah Binti Abdul Wahab, Permanent Secretary, MoFA of Brunei Darussalam, on the margins of EAS SOM in Penang, Malaysia. The two sides discussed ways to further deepen the Enhanced Partnership between India and Brunei bilaterally, as also cooperation under ASEAN and other frameworks.' On Monday, Kumaran met Michelle Chan, Deputy Secretary, South and Southeast Asia Group and Head of the Office of Southeast Asia, Australia, at the East Asia Summit Senior Officials' Meeting in Penang, and discussed bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest. 'Secretary (East) P. Kumaran met Ms. Michelle Chan, Deputy Secretary, South and Southeast Asia Group & Head of the Office of Southeast Asia, Australia on the margins of East Asia Summit Senior Officials' Meeting at Penang, Malaysia. They discussed bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest,' Jaiswal posted on X. Further strengthening regional engagement, P Kumaran also met Ambassador Kung Phoak, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, on the margins of East Asia Summit Senior Officials' Meeting in Penang. Jaiswal said that the officials discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation bilaterally and under the ASEAN framework. In a statement shared on X, Jaiswal stated, 'Secretary (East) P. Kumaran met Amb Kung Phoak, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, on the margins of East Asia Summit Senior Officials' Meeting in Penang, Malaysia. Underlining the close partnership between India and Cambodia, the two sides discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation bilaterally and under the ASEAN framework.' EAS Senior Officials' Meetings (SOM) and meetings of EAS Ambassadors to ASEAN are held regularly to discuss emerging issues and to prepare for EAS ministerial and Leaders' meetings, and to take forward decisions by EAS leaders, according to Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade statement. The EAS has 18 members - the 10 ASEAN countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) along with Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the United States. (ANI)
