The World Press Freedom Index 2024 report released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) today showed that Malaysia’s score now stands at 52.07 points.

Last year, Malaysia recorded a score of 62.83 points as it jumped 40 places to 73rd compared to 2022 when it was placed at 113th with 51.55 points.

A ranking of 107th means Malaysia has fallen behind its neighbour Thailand (87th) although it is still second overall among Asean countries, ahead of Indonesia (111th), Brunei (117th), Singapore (126th), the Philippines (134th), Cambodia (151st), Laos (153rd), Myanmar (171st) and Vietnam (174th).

However, it lags behind nations like Nepal (74th), Serbia (98th), Israel (101st), Mozambique (105th), and Maldives (106th).

The index, published on RSF’s website, compares the level of media freedom in 180 countries and regions around the world.

Last month, Amnesty International claimed that freedom of expression in Malaysia had declined after more than a year of the unity government’s administration.

Government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil denied this, saying no journalist had been arrested or news portal shut down in the time that the unity coalition had been in power.

He also maintained that there was “a difference between freedom of speech and slander”.