MIAMI, May 2 (Reuters) - Ferrari's Charles Leclerc said he had been harsh on Formula One leader Kimi Antonelli after angrily criticising the Italian teenager in the heat of the Miami Grand Prix sprint race on Saturday.
Ringgit strength, IMF’s GDP forecast signal global confidence in Malaysia ’s economy, says Muhammad Kamil PETALING JAYA: More must be done to protect media independence, strengthen newsroom sustainability and restore public trust in journalism as Malaysia slips in global press freedom rankings, says the Majlis Media Malaysia .
“The 2026 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders has placed global press freedom at its lowest level in 25 years, while Malaysia has fallen seven places to 95th out of 180 countries,” it said on Sunday . It said Malaysia’s ranking showed a need to protect media independence, support newsrooms and rebuild public trust. The council said newsrooms faced economic strain, legal threats, online harassment, safety risks and public distrust.
It said misinformation, artificial intelligence, platform disruption and falling revenue changed how news was made and shared. It also noted that over the past year, journalists faced mortal danger in conflict zones worldwide and were killed in Gaza, Lebanon and Ukraine. The council said it sought stronger protections for journalists, limits on criminal laws against media workers, better access to information and support for media viability.
“MMM is now working to operationalise its complaints mechanism, strengthen its Code of Conduct, engage media organisations and support professional development for journalists and editors,” it said. Meanwhile, its board member and Code of Conduct and Complaints Committee chair Datin Paduka Esther Ng said press freedom must be protected as a public right.
“Freedom of the press should not be a luxury. The media is the mirror which reflects the creed and core of the people of the land.
“The Fourth Estate has a vital job to do – to stand up for the aspirations, fears, anger and gratitude of the society it represents. “That mirror belongs not just to the press, but to the very people it stands up for. It is our job to protect it,” said Ng, who is also Star Media Group chief content officer.
Another board member, Mariah Doksil, said press freedom must also be understood through the lived realities of journalists on the ground.
“Press freedom is not just about journalists. It is about the public’s right to know, the people’s voices being heard, and our shared commitment to the truth,” said Mariah, who is also Sabah Journalist Association president. Prof Dr Zaharom Nain, who is also a board member, said Malaysia’s decline in the press freedom index demands serious reflection, especially when measured against official commitments to media freedom.
In conjunction with World Press Freedom Day, MMM also invited journalists, media workers, editors, students, civil society organisations and members of the public to join the Media Solidarity Festival 2026 on May 10, from 10am to 5.30pm, at PARC Subang. MCMC warns against provocative 3R content online
Majlis Media Malaysia Press Freedom World Press Freedom Day Reporters Without Borders Media Independence Journalism Newsrooms World Press Freedom Index Media Viability
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