PM Hj Najib: I gave the media more freedom

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said his three-year premiership had brought about more media freedom, which has been acknowledged internationally.

"Since I become Prime Minister, Malaysia has moved up nine places in the Reporters Without Borders press freedom index, even as the likes of the United States and Great Britain have slid down.

"And we are now officially one of South-East Asia's most media-friendly nations, ranked well ahead of Thailand, the Philippines and Singapore," said Najib in his address at the launch of the Foreign Correspondents Club of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.

Speaking to a crowd which comprise mostly foreign correspondents in Malaysia, Najib reiterated his commitment to review censorship laws to foster a vibrant, transparent and fair media landscape.

He cited two online portals - Malaysiakini and The Malaysian Insider- as examples to prove his commitment towards press freedom.

"It is also why I have relaxed decades-old media licensing requirements, why I have ensured that the online sphere remains completely free of regulations, and why you can log on the likes ofMalaysiakini or Malaysian Insider and find regular and strident criticism (against) the government.

"Yes, there is still some way to go, but it is impossible to deny that change, real change, is happening in Malaysia," said the premier.

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