8 notches drop for Malaysia in press freedom ranking

Indeed, Malaysia's press freedom ranking is on a free fall. It already crashed into the bottom quarter of 173 countries in the worldwide press freedom ranking index released today by Paris-based watchdog Reporters sans Frontieres (RSF, Reporters Without Borders). Malaysia recorded a worst-ever ranking by falling 8 spots from 2007's 124th to current 132nd place.

The facts that Umno-linked New Straits Time has long been a tool to the government, major media are being controlled and are sometimes facing crack-down and bloggers have been continuously threatened by ISA are believed to be the main reasons for the drastic blow. If Malaysia continues to ignore recommendations to revamp its press freedoms, this shameful position could turn even worse next year.

Meanwhile, Bintulu MP Dato Seri Tiong King Sing blasted 3 Astro AEC TV programmes "Living in Malaysia"(身在马来西亚), "Evening Editor"(新闻报报看) and "马华党选面面观", claiming that these tv programmes spitefully emphasize on the bad sides of the government and only deliver negative message to the audience. He even urged the relevant department to take action against AEC.

In fact, the new episode of "Living in Malaysia" was already put on hold. Why? To our BN leaders, citizens must be taught to irrationally believe in the "flawless government"? And whatever discussion about administrative error is just prohibited? This is simply insane, something goes really wrong!