Press freedom and AI: Where Malaysia stands

Today is May 3, 2025. This date commemorates the World Press Freedom Day.

According to Unesco, the World Press Freedom Day would be focused on a theme that has hit hard on Malaysian media practitioners.

The theme is – Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Press Freedom and the Media.

Jalur Gemilang gaffe

In Malaysia, we have witnessed a major gaffe committed by Sin Chew Daily and Kwong Wah Yit Poh being probed for depicting the Jalur Gemilang without the crescent moon.

It resulted in the editors being detained and probed by the police and further probes by Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission.

However the authorities did not come down hard on the Education Ministry even though the latter also committed the same gaffe.

The narratives against the two Chinese dailies were questioning the patriotism and political leanings of the dailies.

Some quarters went for the jugular by holding protests outside the premises of the dailies

Nothing was said about it being a blunder caused by AI though it was one that was overlooked by concerned editorial team.

Putrajaya had taken a leap in terms of press freedom when its legislative body passed the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) bill was passed in February.

Unfortunately, the fact that it has yet to be enforced resulted in the episodes involving Sin Chew Daily and Kwong Wah Yit Poh.

The episodes also cast a negative depiction of the MMC Act.

The world have also have witnessed that media houses can completely utilise AI to publish its newspapers.

While the text would be impeccable in terms grammar and structure, it would not have the emotions that a media practitioner can relay via his or her writing, photographs and videos.

Improving the standing in the World Press Freedom Index, financial viability of media outlets

Another issue that one would look for would be Malaysia’s standing in the World Press Freedom Index.

The World Press Freedom Index is released by Reporters Without Borders.

Last year, Malaysia dropped 34 spots to 107th in ranking and 52.07 points.

There has been a plethora of news portals that mushroomed following the appointment of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

However the bigger question still remains, are the press outlets given freedom to raise issues without fear and favour despite its political leanings.

The third issue that Putrajaya needs to act on is the financial viability of media outlets.

Media portal owners are rich. It is a far cry for media practitioners.

While the financial aid by the Communication Ministry is helpful, it is only viable for the short term.

One has yet to see action taken against media portal owners who fail to pay remuneration and relevant deduction.

These are definitely some of the issues that Putrajaya needs to address to improve its standing in to raise its standing in terms of press freedom