Produced by Astro AWANI
Although Malaysia’s ranking moved up on the 2022 World Press Freedom index, its score has actually dropped compared to last year. What gives, does our country’s press freedom reflect its new ranking in reality? REFSA Communications Director Iskandar Fareez weighs in on Awani Tonight.
Summary
Malaysia moved up its ranking on the 2022 World Press Freedom index, although its score has actually dropped compared to last year. What gives, does our country’s press freedom reflect its new ranking in reality?
In an interview with Astro Awani, REFSA Communications Director Iskandar highlighted that the 2022 World Press Freedom index ranking’s change of scoring methodology, as well as other countries’ circumstances need to be considered when taking into account Malaysia’s new ranking.
While the right to freedom of expression is ingrained in our federal constitution, history has showed that our laws have been exploited to restrict press freedom before (such as the former prime minister Najib Razak’s administration using the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 to suspend The Edge for unfavourable reporting on the 1MDB scandal).
These acts need to be looked into once more and brought further into public attention. Such incidences cannot be repeated.