Malaysia has plunged 10 notches to 141 in the 2010 World Press Freedom Index – the lowest in nine years – putting it firmly in the bottom quarter of 178 countries.
The country failed to capitalise on last year’s improvement where it move up one notch from 132 to 131.
Interestingly, Singapore (136) outranked Malaysia for the first time since Paris-based press watchdog group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) began releasing its ranking in 2002.
Among the 10 Asean countries, Malaysia is ranked higher than two countries which deemed to have freer press – Thailand (153) and Philippines (156).
RSF has attributed this to political violence.
“Thailand – where two journalists were killed and some 15 wounded while covering the army crackdown on the ‘red shirts’ movement in Bangkok – lost 23 places,” said RSF, which issued its ninth annual index today.
“The Philippines lost 34 places following the massacre of over 30 reporters by partisans of one of Mindanao island’s governors.”
Repression not diminishing
Meanwhile, Finland, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland share the No 1 spot. United States remains at No 20.
Sitting at the bottom end of the ranking are North Korea (177) and Eritrea (178).
Apart from North Korea, Asia’s three communist regimes – China (171), Vietnam (165) Laos (168) – are among the 15 lowest-ranked countries.
“Also in Southeast Asia, Indonesia (117) cannot seem to pass under the symbolic bar separating the top 100 countries from the rest, despite remarkable media growth. Two journalists were killed there and several others received death threats, mainly for their reports on the environment,” said RSF.
“In short, repression has not diminished in Asean countries, despite the recent adoption of a human rights charter.”
Wow – this calls for celebration. For once, Malaysian has over-taken Singapore in something.
Grapes…Not really…they are still leading…Chia Thye Poh remains the longest serving Internal Security Act detainees…
Mahathir started this stranglehold, Pak Lah continued the chokehold, Najib is closing every hole!
It’s a case of the blind leading the blind-lah.
Wow – this calls for celebration. For once, Malaysian has over-taken Singapore in something. by#1
Luckly the time surveyed was before MK booted out from umno agm and other events regardless to mention other wise singapore will celebrate again with joy and happiness.
Yes, now that you reminded me, not just this instance. Malaysia also lead Singapore in:
1) corruption
2) Perwaja steel mill
3) Putridjaya
4) Multi-Media Super Corridor
5) F1 that is fading fast
6) Petronas Tower that is still looking for tenants
7) 100 storey tower – akan datang
Yes, you are right – not really – lot’s more for others to add….
Yahoooooooo!!!
We made it into the Top 200 list.
Malaysia Boleh!
One day we will overtake Burma!
Dis is CIA punya plot lah, said Rice Yak-dim
They jealous of 1M’sia free press, tsk tsk
NR: We need d new 100-storey phallic symbol 4 1st lady 2 occupy n 2 entertain her frens
Also, MACC will occupy d top floor 2 test if their guests/questionees can fly
Alamak, 1M’sia (141) worse than Zimbabwe (123) 1
But not 2 worry, 1M’sia still better than Somalia n Rwanda
2011 …. 141 + 10 = 151
2012 …. 151 + 10 = 161
2013 …. 161 + 10 = 171
2019 … declare bankrupt
Now we have another worsening index to add to other worsening indices:
1) Corruption index
2) university ranking index
3) FDI index
4) Competitiveness index
5) etc etc
and we have ministers with their bald heads in the sand blaming the Opposition for the fall of FD1.
NR dares not act boldly & expeditiously to inculcate the harmony & unity among the various races. It’s a known fact that if 1M’sia Concept (may looks good in theory) is not implemented fairly, it will definitely defeat its purpose.
As far as Utusan is concerned, they still have the freedom to publish lies and to stoke up racial sentiment.