03-05-2025
Kuching Division Journalists' Association urges continued reforms for media freedom
Teo said they laud Malaysia for improving its standing in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, rising 19 spots to 88th place, based on the latest assessment by RSF.
KUCHING (May 4): The Kuching Division Journalists' Association (KDJA) has called for continued reforms to promote media freedom, in conjunction with the World Press Freedom Day yesterday.
Its president Ronnie Teo said they laud Malaysia for improving its standing in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, rising 19 spots to 88th place, based on the latest assessment by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
He stated that the country recorded a score of 56.09 this year, marking a rebound from last year when it dropped to 107th with a score of 52.07.
'Malaysia's improved ranking is an affirmation of the resilience of our media professionals and the gradual reforms, aimed at strengthening press freedom.
'This progress signals a growing recognition of the vital role that independent journalism plays in shaping an informed society,' he said in a statement yesterday.
Ronnie added that while this rise is encouraging, the country's press freedom 'remains classified as problematic'.
Reiterating the need for continued reforms, he said issues such as media ownership concentration and outdated laws still pose challenges to true editorial independence.
As such, he said this ranking should serve as motivation to push for greater media transparency, stronger protections for journalists, and the repeal of restrictive laws.
'A free press is the backbone of democracy, and Malaysia must continue working toward an environment where journalists can report without fear or interference,' he added.
The United Nations General Assembly declared May 3 to be World Press Freedom Day, observed to raise awareness of the importance of the press' freedom as well as to remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined under Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The World Press Freedom Day also marks the anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration, a statement of free press principles put together by African newspaper journalists in Windhoek in 1991.
This year's World Press Freedom Day global commemoration focuses on the profound influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on journalism and media under the theme 'Reporting in the Brave New World—The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media'. KDJA Kuching Division Journalists Association lead media freedom Ronnie Teo
