World Press Freedom Day: Govt urged to improve journo protection

Summary

• Gerakan Media Merdeka says World Press Freedom Day, celebrated today, should serve as a reminder of journalists’ fight for better treatment.

• It says the press is still trapped under repressive laws, constant changes of government policies, and financial uncertainty.

• The group urges the government to improve the situation for media practitioners.

As journalists around the world celebrate World Press Freedom Day today, a group that champions the rights of media practitioners ponders the future of the fourth estate in Malaysia.

In a statement, Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) said the annual event on May 3 is not always a prestigious celebration in Malaysia but instead serves as a reminder of its journalists’ fight for better freedoms.

While Malaysia has climbed up 19 spots in the 2025 World Press Freedom rankings by Reporters Without Borders, Geramm claimed the figure does not reflect the full reality of what members of the press are facing.

“We are still trapped under repressive laws, the unstable structure of the industry, and constant changes of government policies (that differ) between their intended purposes and what they actually do,” the group said.

Geramm raised several questions regarding the future of the press in Malaysia.

They include who would be members of the Malaysian Media Council, which was finally tabled and approved by the Parliament in March, decades after the idea was stuck in the planning and discussion stage.

While they cherish the success, Geramm stressed the council has to be independent from government control.

“Who will fill the membership of this council? Would it be truly independent or only serve as a ‘pak turut’ (yes man)?

“We call for the appointment of council members to be done in an open, inclusive, and transparent manner, with representatives who legitimately come from among media practitioners, media organisations, academicians, and members of the civil societies - instead of filling it with people who would flatter the status quo.

“This council must function as a platform to address complaints and strengthen ethics, instead of serving as a remote control with friendly faces.

“The credibility of the Malaysian Media Council will depend on who the leaders and members are, and how they dare to act for the benefit of the public instead of the people in power,” it said.

Address today’s reality

Geramm also expressed their concern with Putrajaya’s plan to amend the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA).

Questioning the move’s impact on press freedom, it said the colonial-era law is no longer relevant and should be totally revamped to reflect today’s media and journalism reality.

The group also urged the government to look into the economic structure of the media industry to safeguard the livelihood of journalists.

It pointed to incidents that had been plaguing many workers of media companies, who suffered from late payment, unclear terms of contract, increasing burden of work, and lack of health protection.

“Without the ability to make a decent living, journalists would not be able to write freely,” they said.

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