Abolish restrictive laws, says CIJ, after press freedom index slips 34 places
Centre for Independent Journalism director Wathshlah G Naidu says the government has backtracked on its promises and made little progress on repealing and amending restrictive laws.
PETALING JAYA: The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) has urged the government to amend or repeal laws that restrict media freedom after the decline of the country’s standing in the press freedom index.
CIJ director Wathshlah G Naidu lamented that the government has backtracked on its promises and made little progress on repealing and amending restrictive laws.
“The government continues to suppress journalists from critical and unbiased reporting as archaic values remain true in political institutions.
“As Reporters Without Borders (RSF) posits, draconian legislation continues to be prominently used by the government to both uphold their agenda of the day and the said archaic values,” she said in a statement.
Wathshlah cited such laws as the Sedition Act 1948, Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, and the Official Secrets Act 1972.
She also mentioned Sections 203A, 298A, 500, 504 and 505(b) of the Penal Code.
The World Press Freedom Index 2024 report released by RSF today showed that Malaysia’s standing has declined by 34 places to 107th compared to 73rd last year.
Wathshlah also criticised the government for revoking the media passes of PAS mouthpiece Harakah.