Malaysia has a diverse media landscape that includes mainstream newspapers, television stations, radio networks, and a growing number of independent online platforms. The country's media environment is shaped by the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). These laws and regulatory bodies set the framework within which all news outlets operate. For readers who want to stay informed without falling for false claims, it is important to know which sources consistently follow journalistic standards of accuracy, fairness, and accountability.

This article lists established news organisations in Malaysia, explains their ownership and editorial stance where known, and offers practical tips for evaluating news. It also covers fact-checking projects and public service broadcasters. For a broader overview of daily life in Malaysia, readers can refer to The Complete Guide to Navigating Daily Life in Malaysia.

Mainstream Print and Online Newspapers

Malaysia's major newspapers have both print and digital editions. Their online versions update throughout the day, and many offer free access with a soft paywall or registration requirement.

The Star

The Star is the largest English-language newspaper in Malaysia by circulation. It is owned by Star Media Group Berhad, which is part of the MCA (Malaysian Chinese Association) political party through Huaren Holdings Sdn Bhd. The newspaper maintains a centrist to conservative editorial line. Its website, thestar.com.my, covers national news, business, sports, lifestyle, and opinion. The Star has a dedicated fact-checking column called "The Star Fact Check" that debunks viral claims. As of 2025, a digital subscription costs RM 10 per month for full access.

New Straits Times (NST)

New Straits Times Press (NSTP) publishes the New Straits Times (English), Berita Harian (Malay), and Harian Metro (Malay). NSTP is owned by Media Prima Berhad, which is controlled by the government-linked investment fund Urusharta Jamaah Sdn Bhd. The New Straits Times has historically been pro-government. Its online platform, nst.com.my, offers free articles with a daily limit. The newspaper employs a code of ethics that includes corrections policies and source verification.

Berita Harian and Harian Metro

Berita Harian and Harian Metro are Malay-language dailies with large readerships. Berita Harian focuses on national and political news, while Harian Metro emphasises crime, entertainment, and human interest stories. Both are owned by Media Prima. Their websites, bharian.com.my and hmetro.com.my, are free to access. These outlets have been criticised for lacking independence from government interests, but they do employ professional journalists and editors.

The Edge

The Edge is a business and financial weekly that also publishes daily news online at theedgemarkets.com. It is owned by the Edge Communications Sdn Bhd, which is privately held. The Edge is known for investigative reporting on corporate and government matters. In 2020, its publication licences were suspended for two months after reporting on a financial scandal involving state investment fund 1MDB. The suspension was later lifted. The Edge has a reputation for editorial independence. A digital subscription costs RM 25 per month.

Sin Chew Daily

Sin Chew Daily is the largest Chinese-language newspaper in Malaysia. It is owned by Sin Chew Media Corporation, which is part of the Sarawak-based conglomerate KTS Group. The newspaper covers local and international news with a focus on Chinese community affairs. Its website, sinchew.com.my, offers free articles. Sin Chew Daily has a moderate editorial stance and is generally seen as independent from direct government control.

Television and Radio News Broadcasters

Television and radio remain important sources of news for many Malaysians, especially in rural areas. The main broadcasters are government-owned or government-linked.

Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM)

RTM is the public service broadcaster owned by the Malaysian government. It operates TV1, TV2, and multiple radio stations including Radio Klasik, TraXX FM, and Ai FM. RTM's news bulletins are produced by the Berita Nasional (Bernama) news agency and RTM's own newsroom. RTM is required to follow the government's information policy. Its news coverage tends to favour the ruling coalition. RTM does not charge subscription fees and is funded by the national budget.

Media Prima Television Networks

Media Prima operates TV3, NTV7, 8TV, and TV9. TV3 is the most-watched free-to-air channel in Malaysia. Its news programmes, such as "Buletin Utama" and "Nightline", are produced by the Media Prima News Group. These broadcasts are subject to the same regulatory environment as print media. Media Prima's news division has a code of ethics and a corrections policy. The channels are free to air.

Astro Awani

Astro Awani is a 24-hour news channel owned by Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad, a satellite television provider. Astro Awani is available on Astro channel 501 and online at astroawani.com. The channel covers national and international news, with a focus on breaking news and current affairs. Astro Awani claims editorial independence from its parent company. Its journalists are members of the Malaysian Media Council (when established). Access to the website is free.

Bernama

Bernama (Malaysian National News Agency) is the official news agency of the Malaysian government. It provides news feeds to all major media outlets in the country. Bernama operates its own website, bernama.com, which publishes news in Malay, English, and Chinese. Bernama's reporting is generally factual but tends to present the government's perspective. It is funded by the government and is not editorially independent.

Independent and Alternative News Platforms

In the last 15 years, several independent online news platforms have emerged in Malaysia. These outlets often cover topics that mainstream media avoid, such as corruption, human rights, and opposition politics. They rely on advertising, donations, and grants.

Malaysiakini

Malaysiakini was founded in 1999 by Steven Gan and Premesh Chandran. It is one of the oldest independent online news portals in Malaysia. Malaysiakini covers politics, business, and social issues. It has a reputation for investigative journalism and has won international press freedom awards. The site is funded by subscriptions and advertising. A digital subscription costs RM 15 per month. Malaysiakini has been subjected to government raids and legal challenges. In 2021, its offices were raided by police over a comment posted on its platform. The outlet maintains a strict editorial policy of separating news from opinion.

Malay Mail

Malay Mail is a free daily newspaper that transitioned to a digital-only platform in 2018. It is owned by the Malaysian government-linked company Redberry Sdn Bhd. Malay Mail's website, malaymail.com, publishes news in English and Malay. The outlet has a liberal editorial stance and often publishes critical reporting on government policies. It is funded by advertising.

The Vibes

The Vibes is a digital news platform launched in 2020. It is owned by the same group that owns the now-defunct The Sun newspaper. The Vibes covers national news, business, and lifestyle. Its editorial stance is centrist. The website is free to access.

Free Malaysia Today (FMT)

Free Malaysia Today is an online news portal that covers politics, current affairs, and opinion. It was founded in 2009. FMT has faced legal action from the government over articles critical of the administration. In 2021, the Home Ministry suspended FMT's publication licence for three months. The outlet resumed operations after the suspension. FMT is funded by advertising. Its editorial stance is generally critical of the government.

Aliran

Aliran is a non-governmental organisation that publishes news and commentary on social justice, human rights, and democracy. It was founded in 1977. Aliran's website, aliran.com, features articles by activists and academics. It does not claim to be a neutral news source but rather an advocacy platform. Aliran is funded by donations.

Fact-Checking Initiatives and Verification Tools

Misinformation spreads quickly on social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and TikTok. Several organisations in Malaysia run fact-checking projects to counter false claims. For more on identifying false information, see 5 Tips to Spot Fake News.

Sebenarnya.my

Sebenarnya.my is a fact-checking website launched by the Malaysian government in 2017. It is managed by the MCMC. The site debunks viral hoaxes and false news related to health, politics, and scams. Sebenarnya.my lists claims and provides verdicts such as "Palsu" (False) or "Benar" (True). Critics argue that the site sometimes labels legitimate criticism as false. Nonetheless, it is a useful resource for checking widely circulated rumours.

MyCheck

MyCheck is a fact-checking initiative by the independent media organisation The Fourth. It was launched in 2020. MyCheck verifies claims made by public figures and viral social media posts. It publishes its findings on its website and on social media. MyCheck is a signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) code of principles. It is funded by grants and donations.

Bernama Fact Check

Bernama also runs a fact-checking section on its website. It focuses on debunking false news related to government policies and public services. Bernama's fact-checks are available in Malay and English.

Google Fact Check Explorer

Google's Fact Check Explorer tool aggregates fact-checks from verified organisations worldwide. Users can search for a claim and see whether it has been checked by any IFCN-accredited fact-checker. This tool works in Malaysia and covers both English and Malay language claims.

How to Evaluate News Sources

Readers can use several criteria to decide whether a news source is reliable. The following list is based on standard media literacy guidelines.

  • Ownership and funding: Check who owns the outlet and how it is funded. Government-owned outlets may have a pro-government bias. Privately owned outlets may have commercial or political interests. Independent outlets may rely on subscriptions or donations.
  • Editorial policies: Look for a published code of ethics, corrections policy, and separation of news from opinion. Outlets that correct errors promptly are more trustworthy.
  • Byline and sources: Reliable articles name the journalist and cite identifiable sources. Anonymous sources should be used sparingly and explained.
  • Fact-checking record: See whether the outlet has been flagged by fact-checkers. If an outlet repeatedly publishes false claims, it is not reliable.
  • Transparency: Trustworthy outlets publish contact information, ownership details, and an about page that explains their mission.
  • Cross-checking: Compare a story across multiple outlets. If only one source reports a major claim, treat it with caution.

For practical guidance on daily life topics such as budgeting, housing, and healthcare, readers can consult The Complete Guide to Navigating Daily Life in Malaysia. That guide includes verified information on costs, services, and procedures.

Legal and Regulatory Context

Malaysia's media laws affect how news is produced and distributed. The Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 requires all print publications to obtain a yearly licence from the Home Ministry. The minister has the power to revoke or suspend a licence without giving a reason. This law has been used against critical outlets. The Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 regulates online content. It gives the MCMC authority to block websites and order the removal of content deemed offensive or harmful. The Sedition Act 1948 and the Defamation Act 1957 are also used to restrict speech. In 2023, the government introduced the Anti-Fake News Act 2018 (repealed in 2019) was replaced by a new law under the Penal Code that criminalises the spread of false information. These laws create a challenging environment for journalists. Outlets that operate independently often face legal pressure.

Media Ownership Concentration

Media ownership in Malaysia is highly concentrated. A small number of companies control most newspapers, television stations, and radio networks. The following table lists the major media groups and their outlets.

  • Media Prima Berhad: Owns TV3, NTV7, 8TV, TV9, New Straits Times, Berita Harian, Harian Metro, and radio stations such as Hot FM and Fly FM. Media Prima is controlled by Urusharta Jamaah Sdn Bhd, a government-linked investment fund.
  • Astro Malaysia Holdings: Owns Astro Awani, Astro Arena, and many other channels. Astro is the sole satellite TV provider in Malaysia.
  • Star Media Group: Owns The Star and its digital platforms. It is linked to the MCA political party.
  • Sin Chew Media Corporation: Owns Sin Chew Daily and other Chinese-language publications. It is part of the KTS Group.
  • Bernama: The national news agency, owned by the government.

This concentration means that a few editorial lines dominate the news agenda. Readers should seek out diverse sources to get a fuller picture.

Practical Tips for Staying Informed

To stay informed without falling for misinformation, consider the following steps.

  1. Subscribe to reliable outlets: Pay for a subscription to a trusted outlet such as Malaysiakini or The Edge. This supports journalism and reduces reliance on ad-driven clickbait.
  2. Follow fact-checkers: Bookmark Sebenarnya.my and MyCheck. Check them before sharing a suspicious claim. You can also learn How to Fact-Check Information on WhatsApp.
  3. Use news aggregators: Google News and Apple News aggregate stories from multiple sources. They allow you to compare coverage.
  4. Check the date: Old news stories are often recirculated as if they are current. Always check the publication date.
  5. Verify images and videos: Use reverse image search tools such as Google Images or TinEye to see whether a photo has been used out of context.
  6. Be sceptical of headlines: Outrage-inducing headlines are often designed to get clicks. Read the full article before sharing.

For related practical information, readers may find these articles useful: Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH), Bantuan OKU, KWSP Pengeluaran Umur 55, Perkeso Caruman, Cukai Pendapatan Asas, and Cara Fail Cukai Online.

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  • The Complete Guide to Navigating Daily Life in Malaysia
  • Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH)
  • Bantuan OKU
  • KWSP Pengeluaran Umur 55
  • Perkeso Caruman
  • Cukai Pendapatan Asas