Malaysia has been ranked 101st globally in the latest 2020 World Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
Source: newmandala
Press freedom was getting the much needed refresher in Malaysia after Prime Minister Najib Razak's decision alliance endured an amazing destruction in the May 2018 general election, its first thrashing in present day Malaysian history. Columnists and news sources that had been boycotted, for example, the illustrator Zunar and the Sarawak Report insightful news site, have had the option to continue working unafraid of provocation. The general condition for columnists is substantially more loose, self-oversight has declined drastically and the print media are currently offering a fuller and increasingly adjusted scope of perspectives, including support for the new decision alliance, and backing for the old decision alliance, presently in restriction.
But the authorities still have a draconian legislative arsenal with which to suppress media freedom, an arsenal that includes the 1948 Sedition Act, the 1972 Official Secrets Act and the 1998 Communications and Multimedia Act. Under these laws, which need a complete overhaul, the authorities have strict control over publication licences and journalists can be sentenced to 20 years in prison on sedition charges. They pose a constant threat to media personnel, who still cannot express themselves with complete freedom, despite all the progress. ("Malaysia : Fresh air but archaic laws endure | Reporters without borders", 2020)
According to RSF, Malaysia jumps up 22 places to No 101.Malaysia registered the biggest increase among 180 countries, improving by 22 places, followed by Maldives that jumped 19 places to rank at 79th
Most of the times these numbers do not impact the press freedom as how it supposed to. Till today there are still journalist who are being brought to court and questioned on the things they have published. The most recent example would be the Al Jazeera Documentary where allegations made by Malaysian authorities over an investigative documentary about the arrest of undocumented migrants during the coronavirus pandemic in Malaysia.
Here are few other cases which many aren’t aware of journalist being brought to court or being charged due to their reporting.
Tashny Sukumaran, Kuala Lumpur correspondent of the Hong Kong based South China Morning Post
Image Source : Article 19
Apart from the Al Jazeera journalist, the other most recent case would be Tashny Sukumaran who is a Kuala Lumpur correspondent of the Hong Kong based South China Morning Post, has been ordered to report for questioning at police headquarters in the Kuala Lumpur district of Bukit Aman.
In an article published on 1 May, Ms. Tashny and co-writer Bhavan Jaipragas depicted movement strikes focusing on undocumented migrants and featured worries that these activities could sabotage endeavors to battle the spread of COVID-19.
On 3rd May 2020, Ms. Tashny declared on Twitter that she was called by the police for addressing under Section 504 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act. An authority from the Criminal Investigation Department affirmed that police had opened an examination. Section 504 of the Penal Code portrays the wrongdoing of "purposeful affront with aim to incite a penetrate of the harmony" and conveys a punishment of as long as two years’ detainment. Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act forces a punishment of as long as one-year detainment for “improper use of network facilities or network service."
Another case would be when police arrested Syed Jaymal, a correspondent for the online news provider Malaysiakini, while he was covering demonstrators protesting high food costs in Kuala Lumpur. He was charged with obstructing a police officer, a criminal offense punishable by two years in prison and possible fines. He was released on RM 1,000 (US$263) bail on January 28. His criminal case scheduled to be heard on June 14.
Malaysiakini journalist Syed Jaymal Zahiid (C) reacts as he is led away by plainclothed police officers during a protest outside the landmark Petronas Twin Towers in downtown Kuala Lumpur, 26 January 2008.
Malaysiakini Editor K. Kabilan said Syed Jaymal had identified himself as a journalist to police officials, from whom he was requesting information about a group of protesters that had been detained. An estimated 200 people were arrested in a government crackdown on the protests, according to news reports.
Kabilan said Syed Jaymal was pushed, punched, and pulled by the hair during the two days he was in police custody. The reporter filed three separate police reports for alleged assault and illegal detention. "He is upset over the treatment meted out to him. So are we, as he was there to do his job," Kabilan told CPJ.
Above are only two of the many cases of journalist being charged for doing what they are supposed to do which is giving unbiased information to the public. These investigations are an attack on media freedom and an abuse of power by the Malaysian authorities.
“The government must ensure that independent journalists are backed up by a legal framework that protects freedom of expression. Rather than targeting journalists who report on government overreach, authorities should guarantee that they have the independence and access to information necessary to cover stories of public interest”, Nalini Elumalai, ARTICLE 19’s Malaysia Programme Officer.
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