A welcome boost to press freedom
It was encouraging to read that Malaysia has climbed 19 spots to 88th in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index. While not our best-ever showing, the latest report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) indicates a recovery from last year's plunge.
As someone who spent 29 years in the media, both at The Star and Malaysiakini, and as a former leader of the National Union of Journalists, I have a deep personal investment in press freedom. I consider it a vital cog in our nation's development.
I am hopeful that the Malaysian Media Council will be another step in the right direction. The bill to establish the council was passed earlier this year, and ideally, it will help create an independent body to safeguard media freedoms and integrity.
Let us not forget that in December, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that the much-awaited Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill would likely be tabled in Parliament some time this year, following a decision by the Special Cabinet Committee on National Governance.
It is interesting to note some of the criticisms made in the RSF report, which claimed that the country scored poorly in the categories of legislation and politics. It also took aim at the government's attitude towards investigative reporters.
'The monarchy is an extremely sensitive subject, as are discussions on race and religion. Any form of commentary or reporting deemed critical of the monarchy can result in prosecution, leading to widespread self-censorship on the matter,' said RSF in its report.
I do wonder what criteria were used in ranking press freedom globally because Malaysia came in second among the Asean countries. It was narrowly behind Thailand (85th), but ahead of Brunei (97th), the Philippines (116th), Singapore (123rd), Indonesia (127th), Laos (150th), Cambodia (161st), Myanmar (169th) and Vietnam (173rd).
But if you are going to harp on the fact that press freedom includes the right to speak on the monarchy, surely Thailand's lese majeste laws are much harsher than our laws? As for political freedoms, Thailand has been frequently under military rule, which muzzles the press. The reformist Move Forward Party, which actually won the last election, was barred from forming the government and eventually dissolved. So again, I ask: what criteria are being used, and who are they talking to?
I find that in the last few years, press freedom in Malaysia has grown by leaps and bounds. I was able to report on custodial deaths, decriminalisation of marijuana, racial discrimination, workers' rights, indigenous land disputes and other such issues that were being suppressed just a decade ago.
RSF also said that starting a media outlet in Malaysia is risky due to strict licensing controls and concentrated ownership that undermines editorial independence. Honestly, there are over 100 mainstream papers, established online portals and independent media out here, operating in various languages. The saturation of media may affect profitability and sustainability, but it does not suggest a lot of restrictive control in 2025.
When I think back to just how badly the nation's press has been suppressed in the past during times like Ops Lalang, Reformasi, Bersih, and the 1MDB financial scandal, what we have now is a virtual oasis of open-source information. And the methods we use now to address dissent are very different.
A few days ago, I noticed my former employer had published a story where an activist used vulgar language against a minister. I texted a senior editor, suggesting the language be paraphrased. He agreed, and the change was made. I don't really consider it to be a moment of oppression. Perhaps those being surveyed feel otherwise.
When I first went into journalism in the 1990s, the then information minister Mohamad Rahmat would have come down on such conduct like a ton of bricks. Editors getting demoted or transferred, papers getting suspended, all that was the norm during the Dr Mahathir Mohamad era.
I am not pretending that the country is mature enough to allow unbridled freedoms. Considering that we have a right-wing opposition constantly attempting to stir racial and religious sentiments, it should be incumbent on some authority to act against that. How we can improve is by ensuring consistency of action so that accusations of double standards do not hold merit.
As the media industry evolves, it becomes necessary to put in new safeguards. This is imperative as traditional print and even online media decline in reach and are replaced by social media as the primary information source. Fake news, scams, trafficking, and sexual predators are all other factors that demand some action from the government.
Nonetheless, I am heartened by Anwar speaking out against any possible action against satirist Fahmi Reza, who was hauled up last December. I hope we continue evolving toward a media environment that values intellectual freedom and truth, while maintaining respect and space for dissenting voices.
Happy World Press Freedom Day, folks!
Martin Vengadesan is a former editor who currently serves as a strategic communications consultant to the communications ministry.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
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