Govt's commitment to press freedom under scrutiny after global index decline to 95th spot

A decline in Malaysia’s position on the World Press Freedom (WPF) Index 2026 has raised concerns among civil society and government critics who cite worsening conditions for local media and journalists.

The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) Malaysia noted that the rankings this year were released amid an unprecedented number of killings of journalists in Gaza, Palestine, Sudan, and the Philippines, and a significant trust deficit in mainstream media.

“Thus, Malaysia’s decline is not just a symbolic decline as it reflects real and worsening conditions for press freedom globally and in the country,” said CIJ executive director Wathshlah Naidu.

This year, Malaysia slipped seven places to 95th in the index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), with its overall score falling to 52.73 from 56.09 last year.

The decline was reflected across nearly all five indicators assessed, with the steepest decline recorded in the sociocultural indicator, which evaluates social constraints and self-censorship.

“This is especially disheartening as the entry into force of the Malaysian Media Council Act 2025 should have provided the government the opportunity to demonstrate the commitment to promoting a free and independent media,” said Wathshlah (above) in a statement.

Despite the formation of the media council as a self-regulatory body, she pointed out that the government continues to retain a list of “draconian” legislation that can be used as a “weapon” to curb media freedom.

Reforms lacking consistency

Meanwhile, Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan said Malaysia’s ranking reflects the government’s failure to deliver meaningful media reform, and that its commitment to press freedom is increasingly being questioned.

He also highlighted Malaysia’s inconsistent rankings in recent years - 73rd in 2023, falling to 107th in 2024, rising to 88th in 2025, and now dropping again - as proof that reform efforts lack consistency.

“This shows that the reforms being touted are not rooted and have failed to be translated consistently,” said the former Bersatu leader in a statement.

Wan Saiful also criticised the government for failing to fulfil its promise to repeal the Sedition Act 1948, saying the continued use of the law against critics has created a climate of fear and curtailed freedom of expression.

He warned that weakening media freedom would undermine democratic checks and balances and limit space for public debate, ultimately eroding trust in national institutions.

“From an economic perspective, media freedom is closely linked to transparency and governance,” he said, adding that restrictions could affect investor confidence due to a perception of lower transparency and policy unpredictability.

“Media freedom is not a threat to the government, but the foundation of accountability and public trust,” Wan Saiful stressed.

Among Asean countries, Malaysia’s position placed it in third place after Timor-Leste and Thailand, the former at 30th place and the latter ranked 92nd.

The WPF index ranks 180 countries on the level of freedom enjoyed by journalists and the media.

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