Centre for Independent Journalism

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We're a non-profit, media and freedom of expression watchdog that aspires for a Malaysian society that is democratic, just and free where all people will enjoy free media and the freedom to express, seek and impart information.

PRESS STATEMENT: CIJ launches its 2026 annual report on Malaysia’s media landscape, The Price of Truth: Economic Rights ...
11/05/2026

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
07/05/2026

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

Freedom of Expression Watch: April 20 - April 26
04/05/2026

Freedom of Expression Watch: April 20 - April 26

📌CIJ Commemorates World Press Freedom Day 2026 and Calls for the Protection of Media Workers’ RightsThe Centre for Indep...
03/05/2026

📌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...
02/05/2026

📌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.




Happy Labour Day. Today, we recognise that meaningful appreciation for workers goes beyond celebration—it requires liste...
01/05/2026

Happy Labour Day. Today, we recognise that meaningful appreciation for workers goes beyond celebration—it requires listening to their voices, defending their rights, and ensuring they have the freedom to speak about the conditions that shape their lives and labour.

📌 CIJ Alarmed by Police raid of Malaysiakini Journalist B Nantha Kumar’s homeCIJ notes with alarm this escalating practi...
28/04/2026

📌 CIJ Alarmed by Police raid of Malaysiakini Journalist
B Nantha Kumar’s home

CIJ notes with alarm this escalating practice of using the law to intimidate and harass journalists conducting their investigative duties, leading to a culture of fear and inhibiting the progress of investigative journalism on matters of public interest in Malaysia. The raid strikes at the core of free press and democratic accountability, and sends a threatening message to journalists reporting on sensitive issues linked to possible corruption or corporate malpractices. A search
warrant and raid of the journalists home threatens source confidentiality and is a potential abuse of power as it can be used as a ‘fishing expedient’ to access other information, including communications logs, devices, contact lists, raw research and other notes or information. This breach of privacy and safety would threaten the very existence of investigative journalism.

Truth matters. Voices matter. Solidarity matters.Be part of Media Solidarity Festival 2026 — where journalism meets the ...
28/04/2026

Truth matters. Voices matter. Solidarity matters.
Be part of Media Solidarity Festival 2026 — where journalism meets the future.

Freedom of Expression Watch 13 APRIL - 19 APRIL.
22/04/2026

Freedom of Expression Watch 13 APRIL - 19 APRIL.

CIJ lauds the Selangor Appeals Board’s decision to grant the disclosure of the SIP issue, which serves the public intere...
21/04/2026

CIJ lauds the Selangor Appeals Board’s decision to grant the disclosure of the SIP issue, which serves the public interest and further restores public confidence in the impartiality of such a body in meeting the public interest.

As we are clouded with countless rumours surrounding the issue, the public interest demands clarity and the FOI mechanism serves as a primary entry point for the people to seek answers from the government.

Further, CIJ reiterates its call for the OSA’s abolishment without delay. For years, the OSA has been used arbitrarily to classify information deemed “sensitive,” without any mechanism to demonstrate actual harm to the public interest or the nation, exemplified here.

We hope this issue will set a precedent in advancing the public interest insofar that the OSA should not be used as a blanket excuse. While, we understand RTI is not absolute, any restriction or exemption to disclosure must always be on the basis of clear grounds and be subjected to a public interest test and harm tests.

This is why we need to establish a federal FOI law so such classifications can be challenged and overturned where public interest prevails, understanding that information is a prerequisite for a progressive and functioning democracy, and central to the public interest.

📌 A Reform Agenda To Prioritise The Protection of The Human Rights of Children - And Everyone - OnlineWe, the undersigne...
18/04/2026

📌 A Reform Agenda To Prioritise The Protection of The Human Rights of Children - And Everyone - Online

We, the undersigned civil society organisations (CSOs) and individuals, urge the government to immediately withdraw plans to ban social media for children under 16.

While framed as a protective measure, this proposed blanket ban on social media for children under 16, expected to be implemented by June 2026, is misguided and disproportionate, and it risks undermining the privacy and freedom of expression of all social media users, both adults and children. It does not address the systemic and structural drivers of harm in digital spaces and may ultimately prove ineffective. Far from solving the problem, it threatens to entrench it.

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L13A-1, Menara Sentral Vista, 150, Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad, Brickfields
Kuala Lumpur
50470

Opening Hours

Monday 10:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 10:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 10:00 - 17:00
Thursday 10:00 - 17:00
Friday 10:00 - 17:00

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