GEORGE TOWN: Malaysia’s latest position in the Press Freedom Index is still considered good compared with what it was under the previous government, says communications minister Fahmi Fadzil.
He said although Malaysia was ranked 107 based on the 2024 World Press Freedom Index Report, published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) yesterday, it was still not that bad.
“While the drop to 107 (in the press freedom index) is an unsatisfactory achievement, the ranking is not too bad. In the 2021 report we were ranked 119, while in 2022, we were ranked 113.
“So, the current position is still good compared with the previous administration,” he told reporters after visiting the Madani Rakyat 2024 north zone programme in Sungai Nibong, near here, today.
Fahmi was commenting on the report which showed Malaysia’s position in the World Press Freedom Index fell 34 places to 107.
Commenting on the strategy to improve press freedom, Fahmi said he and RSF agreed to hold a series of meetings and discussions to deal with fake news or the spread of false information in the country.
“They (RSF) have given their commitment. So, we will have a follow-up meeting in the near future. I am taking their report with an open heart.
“There is a lot that needs to be examined because not all of their criteria match the eastern values or manners we practise in Malaysia, but we will carefully implement the improvements (press freedom) that we want to see and practise in Malaysia,” he said.
Fahmi reiterated that the government will not compromise with any party that abuses the concept of press freedom by touching on the 3R issues (race, religion and royalty) besides spreading slander and fake news.
He said this was because there were some parties who deliberately played on the 3R issues since the formation of the unity government.
“Action has been taken against some websites. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission also confirmed that those websites are actually spreading fake news and playing up 3R issues,” he said.
