Reporters Without Borders (RSF) expressed happiness over its meeting with Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, however, it reminded the minister that the organisation is the established “gold standard” for measuring press freedom on a global scale.
In responding to Fahmi’s claim that the press freedom watchdog’s World Press Freedom Index was not the gold standard, RSF Asia-Pacific bureau director Cedric Alviani said his organisation had to disagree on this.
“I would disagree with Fahmi’s statement that the RSF index is not a gold standard. We are the only ones with such a comprehensive global index for assessing press freedom.
“We base our assessment on the reality of the situation for journalists reporting on the ground. Malaysia has fallen by 10 points compared to last year, according to our respondents,” he told Malaysiakini.
He added that as a matter of policy, RSF was not at liberty to disclose the number of respondents as in some countries this could incriminate them.
Alviani said it was important to recognise that RSF had developed a positive rapport with the minister.
“We are very pleased that we can engage with Fahmi about this. The fact that he recognised that there is some room for improvement and engagement is a mature and responsible response.
“In the end. They are a government and we are an NGO and I believe that dialogue will lead to improvements.
“We are not here to give good grades to a government, but to reflect the situation for reporters on the ground,” Alviani said.
He added that Fahmi was correct when he said that the index was not only about his ministry but also laws under several other ministries, for example, issues related to the LGBTQ+ community.
“It is an overall assessment of the situation. I wouldn’t say it’s his failure if the ranking goes down or his success if it goes up.
“The ranking is an acknowledgement that Malaysia still has improvements to make, for example, pressure on journalists through defamation suits and the failure to establish the promised media council,” he said, adding that by working together, they can find solutions.
Comparison with Israel
Malaysia’s position in the World Press Freedom Index fell 34 places to 107th position compared to 73 last year, with a score of 52.07 points.
Fahmi said this was still considered good compared to the previous government.
“Being at 107 (in the Press Freedom Index), for me is still an unsatisfactory achievement but it’s not too bad either. In 2021, we were on the 119th rung while in 2022, we were ranked 113th.
“However, the current position is still good compared to the rank under the past administration.”
Fahmi then said RSF was not the gold standard, in response to Malaysia’s lower standing in the index than Israel.
He cited the shutdown of the Al Jazeera television network’s operations and the raid on its office in Israel, saying these called into question Israel’s 101st ranking in the index compared with Malaysia’s 107th.
“Unlike Israel, we have not killed, as what has happened in Gaza. We have also not shut down any of the media.
“So the press freedom index is not a perfect measuring stick. It is not the gold standard. It is for us to examine and consider if there are better steps for us to take,” he said.
Alviani said they could not draw a direct comparison, as the RSF tabulation was for conditions within Israel itself where there was no situation of violence against journalists.
“The situation for journalists being killed in the war in Gaza is very different of course.
“A similar comparison could be drawn to Russia and journalists dying in the war in Ukraine which does not impact the Russia index score.
“Another point is that the Al Jazeera closure happened this year so it would be reflected in next year’s index.”
Further engagement
Fahmi told the press earlier this week that he and RSF had agreed to hold a series of meetings and discussions to deal with fake news or the spread of false information in the country.
“I want to repeat that we are very happy with the level of engagement with the minister and that he has shown himself to be open,” said Alviani.
In March, Alviani said Malaysia was at a crossroads and while there have been obvious improvements to media freedom, the idea of the government taking an active role in monitoring the media was a backward step.
He also emphasised that Malaysia is still a leading example of press freedom and democratic rights in a region full of authoritarian regimes.
The representative of the international press freedom watchdog has spent 25 years as an advocate in the Asia-Pacific region and reminded readers that there are many authoritarian regimes in the form of one-party states and military dictatorships, in which journalists often pay for their lives for seeking out the truth. - Mkini
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