On World Press Freedom Day, CIJ highlights restricted Malaysian media

The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) has issued a report in conjunction with World Press Freedom Day today highlighting the difficulties faced by the Malaysian media in the past year. 

This came as Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranked Malaysia in the 113th position in the World Press Freedom Index 2022 this evening.

This meant the country’s rank has improved from 119th last year despite its overall score deteriorating from 60.53 to 51.55.

However, the RSF cautioned that comparisons between this year’s index with last year should be done with care, due to changes in the methodology used for this year’s index.

Despite the apparent improvement, the CIJ said it still indicates a struggling media environment in Malaysia.

CIJ’s report claimed that an arsenal of repressive laws at the government’s disposal has been used against media and journalists to shut down critical reporting. 

Among these legislations include the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) 1984 on criminalising the use of a printing press without a licence, the Official Secrets Act (OSA) 1972 on criminalising the dissemination of official secrets, the Sedition Act 1948 on criminalising speech with seditious tendency and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998 for improper usage of the internet.

“The trend is to target and intimidate the media using these laws when the government is portrayed in a negative light, lodge police reports and sue, attack the journalists online or merely deny valid reports.

“As a result, the media in Malaysia are forced to censor themselves when reporting government-related news, which does not allow the media to do its job of reporting the truth and holding the powers to be accountable,” read the report. 

It highlighted various intimidatory tactics used against media in the recent year, including Malaysiakini being found guilty of contempt of court over the portal’s readers’ comments, the defamation suit by MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki against whistleblower Lalitha Kunaratnam and Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Dr Adham Baba lodging a police report against The Rakyat Post over his “Spanish Fly” remarks. 

In response, CIJ has reiterated its call for a stop in using repressive laws against the media by placing an immediate moratorium on these laws and proceeding with an urgent review to either amend or repeal them.

“Proceeding this way will also go beyond the usual rhetoric or promises made by politicians before this and actually realise media reforms and a commitment to uphold our constitutional rights,” it said. 

It also called on the government to ensure equal access to all media in government-linked events and press conferences, the establishment of a Media Resilience Fund, and tackle disinformation and online hate speech. 

CIJ said it was imperative for the government to quickly establish a Malaysian Media Council. 

“Doing so will see the setting up of a transparent and independent self-regulatory body for the industry.

“Having a media council in place will ensure responsible and inclusive reporting through the publication of guidelines to promote inclusive reporting on social areas, and reduce the political and commercial influences on media content,” it said. - Mkini