Let S Stop The Slide In Press Freedom

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Malaysia’s move on the World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RWB) from the top 40 percent last year to the bottom 40 percent this year, is highly lamentable and represents a huge reversal of gains made.
The move down 34 places from 73rd position to 107th on the index is a major setback despite what Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil described as “not too bad” when compared to the earlier years of 2021 and 2022 when successive backdoor governments were in power.
The disappointing scores were however only to be expected given the stance that this Madani government has taken: liberally using the Sedition Act, the Communications and Multimedia Act, and obscure sections of the Penal Code to stifle discordant voices and comments which do not fit in with their world view.
Let’s take the issue of that Bloomberg report on the casino in Forest City. The first, contentious paragraph report reads: “Malaysia is in early discussions with tycoons on opening a casino in Forest City, people familiar with the matter said, in a bid to revive the beleaguered US$100 billion property project that counts the country’s monarch as one of its shareholders.”
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim denied the report and so did the others who were said to be in discussions, the Genting and Berjaya groups. When Bloomberg was accessed yesterday, the report was still on the site - a clear indication that the news agency stands by its story.
In the meantime, there was an arrest and detention of a person who had made comments after the Bloomberg report was published. He was then charged in court. But the report still stands.
The first step should have been for those who were defamed by the report, including the PM and the government, and tycoons named to demand that the report be taken down. If that was not done, then it is up to them to take legal action against Bloomberg.
Using archaic legislation
They should not be making police reports to take action under archaic criminal defamation laws because they have the full capacity, ability, and money to do so. The defamation laws in the country are quite comprehensive.
Using the limited resources of the police to investigate what is essentially a civil matter would definitely smack of intimidation and abuse of public assets instead of asking aggrieved parties to simply take their own actions in this respect.
The use of archaic legislation has been done repeatedly by more oppressive governments in the past. But the new Madani government in a turnaround appears to do the same when problems arise, eschewing promises made when it was actively courting public support.
Thus we have a situation where the original report by a major news agency, denied by the major players mentioned, still stands but those who have commented on the reports are detained and charged. Where is the justice in this?
The prime minister himself saying that rumour-mongers who spread fake news of government approval for a casino licence in Forest City, Johor should be put behind bars only reinforces the view that the Malaysian government is anti-press freedom.
‘Firm political stance’
And then the PM now describes a report in Singapore’s Straits Times outlining the government’s proposed rolling back of fuel subsidies as “unethical”. But he went beyond that, appearing to tie it to a conspiracy.
“I found recently, maybe because of our firm political stance, the neighbouring and international media continue to attack in terms of negative news. For example, the casino development issue (in Johor)... it was never discussed and never reached my information but it became a hot issue.
“Then the issue of withdrawing diesel subsidy, although there was initial discussion, there was no final decision regarding the implementation date.”
What’s the firm political stance that the PM is talking about? His support for Gaza and opposition to Israel? Does he really think the international and regional media are gunning for him over these issues? In all probability not - Malaysia’s position is insignificant in the global order of things.
One more example. Malaysiakini reported: “A group of activists from the Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Advancement (TBH-ADA) have claimed that they were stopped by the police in Kuala Kubu Baharu and threatened with arrest.”
Was this really necessary? They were just highlighting their position over the long-standing issue of Teoh Beng Hock who died during police interrogation and where many questions remain unanswered.
Activists from the Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Advancement hold a peaceful demonstration in Kuala Kubu BaharuThe RWB index most likely reflects accurately all these movements towards restricting press freedom, including a code of conduct which I wrote about here that may well further restrict press freedom.
With most of these incidents I have mentioned probably coming after RWB’s 2024 assessment, it is entirely possible that the ranking will deteriorate further next year unless we reverse our positions with respect to press freedom.
What the government should do is to let individuals deal with defamation issues, not use police and other public resources which will be intimidation because they use archaic laws in the statute books that need to be dismantled. That was promised previously but remains unfulfilled.
Next, deal with the issue at hand without getting emotional. In the casino issue, deny it if the incident didn’t take place. Say firmly the casino wouldn’t be approved, ask the agency to retract the report or take action if they don’t, and carry on.
Make sure that enough information is provided. In the fuel subsidy issue, the public has been expecting something to happen since this government came to power in November 2022.
Nothing’s happened for one and half years but people know discussions have taken place behind the scenes. Why not set some definite targets, announce them, and work towards them? That will dispel suspense, speculation, and suspicions.
Lastly, please be less emotive. Don’t link these things to what they are not. Let’s solve problems, not aspire to become heroes in the eyes of some sections of the electorate. Remember Mahathir and Soros? Why even go there? - Mkini
P GUNASEGARAM says the careful dissemination of appropriate information by the authorities solves many media problems.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.

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