by RADZI RAZAK / pic source: Fahmi’s Facebook

COMMUNICATIONS and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil (picture) lauds Malaysia’s best ranking in the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) World Press Freedom Index 2023, saying it is an “unexpected and very positive” development.

He said that the development is the evidence of the government’s efforts to protect media freedom in the country.

“The government moves to look into several new laws including the Media Council Act, as well as having meetings with media organisations and groups to hear their problems and grouses, and act upon them,” he told reporters today.

Earlier, RSF released a report ranking Malaysia in 73rd place for its World Press Freedom Index this year, from 133th last year.

Malaysia has jumped 40 places with 62.83 points compared to the previous year’s 51.55 points.

Malaysia is also ranked the highest among Asean countries, ahead of Thailand (106), Indonesia (108), Singapore (129), the Philippines (132), Brunei (142), Cambodia (147), Laos (160), Myanmar (173) and Vietnam (178).

The index, published on the RSF website, aims to compare the level of media freedom in 180 countries and regions in the world.