15 July 2012 Last updated at 07:22 ET

Malaysia profile

Malaysian women surf the web Malaysia's control over the internet content has worried advocates of media freedom

Malaysia has some of the toughest censorship laws in the world. The authorities exert substantial control over the media and can impose restrictions in the name of national security.

The government is keen to insulate the largely-Muslim population from what it considers harmful foreign influences. News is subject to censorship, entertainment shows and music videos regularly fall foul of the censors, and scenes featuring swearing and kissing are routinely removed.

The TV sector comprises commercial networks and pay-TV operations. TV3 is the leading national private, terrestrial broadcaster.

State-owned Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) operates two TV networks and many of the country's radio services. Private stations broadcast in Malay, Tamil, Chinese and English.

Newspapers must renew their publication licences annually, and the home minister can suspend or revoke publishing permits.

Around 17.7 million Malaysians were online by December 2011 (InternetWorldStats). Malaysia is listed as a country "under surveillance" by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in its "Enemies of the Internet" report. In particular, the watchdog cites the harassment of bloggers.

Social media use is burgeoning. Leading government and opposition political figures are active on Facebook and Twitter.

The press

Television

Women read newspapers Newspapers must renew their licences annually
  • Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) - state-run, operates TV1, TV2
  • TV3 - commercial terrestrial network
  • ntv7 - commercial terrestrial network
  • 8TV - commercial terrestrial network
  • TV9 - commercial terrestrial network
  • Astro - commercial terrestrial network

Radio

News agency/internet

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