Media freedom or freedom of the press is something journalists in Malaysia have been grappling with for many decades. For many years, draconian laws have been used to clamp down on journalists and the media. Many have also been arrested. 

While there is no denying that the media has more freedom post-2018 elections and that journalists don’t get arrested as much today as they once did, little has changed in terms of legislation and structure. Draconian laws still exist and can be weaponised. 

Now, advocates for freedom of the press have been pushing for a media council. But what exactly is it, how would it work and what good could come out of it?

We speak to Wathshlah Naidu, Executive Director of the Centre For Independent Journalism (CIJ).

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