According to data published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on April 18, 2019, the 2019 World Press Freedom Index categorizes the media climate in more than three-fourths of the 180 countries and territories studied as “problematic”, “difficult” or “very serious.” Just 8% have a media climate considered “good”.

Malaysia lowered its score by 10.67 points to 36.74 points in 2018. A lower score indicates better press freedom.
The degree of freedom available to journalists in 180 countries is determined by pooling the responses of experts to a questionnaire devised by RSF.
RSF said this qualitative analysis is combined with quantitative data on abuses and acts of violence against journalists during the period evaluated.
The criteria evaluated in the questionnaire are pluralism, media independence, media environment and self-censorship, legislative framework, transparency, and the quality of the infrastructure that supports the production of news and information.
Source : Various sources including Reporters Without Borders Offical Website