PWP Calls On Malaysia To Leverage ASEAN Chairmanship To Champion Regional Press Freedom

By Nurul Syahirah Zulkifli

KANGAR, May 26 (Bernama) -- Perlis Journalists Association (PWP) president Syed Azlan Syed Hizar has called on Malaysia to leverage its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025 to champion stronger regional press freedom in the face of digital-era challenges and the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI).

He stressed that balanced and responsible freedom of the press is fundamental to ensuring information stability, policy transparency and the maturity of democracy across ASEAN member states.

“Malaysia is in a strategic position to steer comprehensive discussions on ethics, press freedom and the future of journalism in ASEAN, especially in light of AI, which risks undermining the credibility of traditional media, accelerating the spread of misinformation, and eroding public trust,” he told Bernama recently.

The 46th ASEAN Summit, themed Inclusion and Sustainability, is taking place in Kuala Lumpur from today until tomorrow.

Citing the 2025 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders, Syed Azlan noted the wide disparity in press freedom across ASEAN nations, with Thailand ranked 85th, followed by Malaysia (88), Brunei (97), the Philippines (116) and Singapore (123).

Ranking significantly lower were Indonesia (127), Laos (150) and Cambodia (161), while Myanmar and Vietnam lagged at 169 and 173, respectively, out of 180 countries.

Syed Azlan stressed the need for firm action to ensure Malaysia continues to advance in press freedom rankings.

He noted that countries with ethical and professional press freedom often attract higher levels of foreign investment due to greater transparency in policies and perceived stability.

“Journalists are not obstacles to development. We are guardians of information integrity. When allowed to operate with ethical independence, public confidence in governance naturally grows,” he said.

Syed Azlan also proposed the establishment of an ASEAN Centre for Digital Journalism to coordinate training, technology development and regional fact-checking initiatives among member states.

“This would also be a timely platform to demonstrate Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s commitment to balanced and constructive freedom of expression, consistent with his long-standing call for media reform,” he added.

In conjunction with National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) 2025, Syed Azlan expressed hope that the occasion would serve as a platform to establish an ethical code for the use of AI in journalism.

The HAWANA 2025 main event will take place on June 14 at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and is expected to gather around 1,000 local and foreign media professionals. 

Organised by the Ministry of Communications with the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) as the implementing agency, this year’s programme will feature a range of events.

It will include a Pantun Festival on May 31, a pre-launch ceremony with strategic partners at Wisma Bernama on June 3 and a media forum co-hosted with the Malaysian Press Institute on June 14.

-- BERNAMA