KUALA LUMPUR – The World Press Freedom Index should not be regarded as an ultimate standard as it fails to consider Eastern values, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
He added that while he is open to meeting index publishers Reporters Without Borders (RSF) to hear their views, such input would have to be contextualised in an Asean framework with the government’s consensus on certain issues.
“Our ranking (in the press freedom index) could be a yardstick of sorts, but I wouldn’t say that it’s a golden standard,” the minister told a press conference after officiating the 2024 International Regulatory Conference here, today.
Organised by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, the two-day conference features international speakers who are here to share insights and engage in dialogues on regulatory frameworks and emerging technologies.
He then added: “(The index ranking) does not only involve the Communications Ministry and media freedom, it also touches on laws under other ministries and the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual community) issues.
“We’ll analyse and consider (RSF’s input). There could be some steps we’re able to implement to improve (Malaysia’s ranking), but the appropriateness (of RSF’s suggestions) have to be considered from an Asean and Eastern context.”
Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the Western approach to press freedom is ill-suited for Malaysia, particularly when assessing matters involving race, religion and royalty (3R) sensitivities.
Meanwhile, Fahmi reiterated Malaysia’s ranking of 107th place this year – dropping 34 places compared to last year’s 73rd – is not all that bad as Malaysia has not conducted itself as extremely as other nations ranked higher in the index.
Malaysia’s score also dropped to 52.07 points from last year’s 62.83.
“One lawmaker said Malaysia’s ranking is worse than Israel – but unlike Israel, we’re not killing people, like what’s happening in Gaza,” Fahmi said.
“We also have not shut down any media (agencies) while Israel has shuttered and raided offices.”
Previously, opposition MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan had criticised Malaysia’s ranking of 107th in the World Press Freedom Index as being worse than Israel’s ranking of 101st, besides blaming Fahmi for the decline in the ranking.
Fahmi had subsequently questioned the Bersatu Supreme Council member’s comments comparing Malaysia to Israel, adding that no journalists have been arrested or thrown in jail and no newspapers have been closed during his tenure. – May 6, 2024