Centre for Independent Journalism

FOEWatch 25th May - 31st May

🌾 Selamat Hari Gawai & Kaamatan! 🌾

Today, we celebrate the rich cultures, traditions, and harvest spirit of the communities of Sabah and Sarawak. May this season bring unity, gratitude, joy, and hope for generations to come.

As we honour our roots and heritage, we also reaffirm the importance of truth, freedom, and the voices that keep our communities strong.

Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai • Kotobian Tadau Tagazo Do Kaamatan

MediaFreedom

FOEWatch 11th May - 17th May

FOEWatch 4th May - 10th May

📣 WE ARE HIRING!

The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) Malaysia is looking for a Senior Communications Officer to join our team. If you are passionate about shaping narratives around freedom of expression, media freedom, and digital rights, we’d love to hear from you.

Send your CV and cover letter to:
📧 [email protected]
🗓 Deadline: 29 May 2026

For more information, go to the link in our bio or scan the QR code in the poster.

PRESS STATEMENT:

CIJ launches its 2026 annual report on Malaysia’s media landscape, The Price of Truth: Economic Rights of Journalists in Malaysia, in conjunction with the Media Solidarity Festival held alongside World Press Freedom Day.

This year’s report highlights the growing economic, political, technological, and legal pressures faced by journalists and media workers in Malaysia, shedding light on precarious working conditions, declining job security, and the broader impact on press freedom and public trust in journalism.

As economic pressures increasingly shape journalists’ ability to report independently, ethically, and safely, the report calls for meaningful reforms to strengthen media sustainability, labour protections, and editorial independence in Malaysia.

Freedom of Expression Watch (FOEWatch) 27 APRIL - 3 MAY

Freedom of Expression Watch: April 20 - April 26

📌CIJ Commemorates World Press Freedom Day 2026 and Calls for the Protection of Media Workers’ Rights

The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) Malaysia commemorates and celebrates World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) 2026 this 3 May. The Malaysian media has come a long way serving as the country’s fourth estate, experiencing the same growing pains alongside Malaysia’s democracy.

The passing of the Media Council Act in 2025 and the long-anticipated Freedom of Information Bill expected to be tabled soon marks a welcome progression in enabling press freedom. We therefore hope to see the continued strengthening of independent media and a self-regulated media ecosystem.

However, CIJ notes with concern Malaysia’s recent drop in its score in the recent Press Freedom Index by Reporters without Borders (RSF): from 88th place to the 95th place globally. The fallen overall score (from 56.09 to 52.73) shows a concerning deterioration in the quality of media freedom locally, even amidst the overall worsening of press freedom globally.

📌Malaysia’s Decline in 2026 RSF Press Freedom Index Signals Urgent Need for Reform

The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) Malaysia expresses serious concern over Malaysia’s drop from #88 to #95 in the 2026 Reporters Without Borders (RSF) World Press Freedom Index.

Globally we are seeing an unprecedented number of killings of journalists in Gaza, Palestine, Sudan and Philippines and a significant trust deficit in mainstream media.Thus, Malaysia’s decline is not just a symbolic decline as it reflects real and worsening conditions for press freedom globally and in the country.

Malaysia’s overall score has fallen from 56.09 to 52.73, with notable deterioration across key indicators, particularly in the legal, social, and economic environments for journalism. This is especially disheartening as the entry into force of the Malaysian Media Council Act 2025 should have provided the Madani government the opportunity to demonstrate the commitment to promoting a free and independent media.