Free Malaysia Today is rated Right-Center with Mixed factual reporting by Media Bias Fact Check.
RIGHT-CENTER BIAS
These media sources are slight to moderately conservative in bias. They often publish factual information that utilizes loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by appeals to emotion or stereotypes) to favor conservative causes. These sources are generally trustworthy for information but may require further investigation. See all Right-Center sources.
- Overall, we rate Free Malaysia Today as Right-Center Biased based on uncritical favorable coverage of center-right figures (particularly major shareholder Johari Ghani) while applying greater scrutiny to center-left leadership. We rate them Mixed factually due to inconsistent sourcing.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: RIGHT-CENTER (4.0)
Factual Reporting: MIXED (4.8)
Country: Malaysia
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MODERATE FREEDOM
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: High Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: MEDIUM CREDIBILITY
History
Free Malaysia Today was established in 2009. It is an independent, bilingual news portal with a focus on Malaysian current affairs. It is based in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. FMT covers politics, business, lifestyle, and sports.
Read our profile on Malaysia’s government and media.
Funded by / Ownership
Free Malaysia Today is owned and managed by FMT Media Sdn Bhd. FMT Media Sdn Bhd operates under REV Media Group, a subsidiary of Media Prima Berhad. Aurora Mulia SDN BHD is Media Prima’s largest shareholder with 32% of shares, and Johari Bin Abdul Ghani is the second largest with 25%.
Funding for FMT primarily derives from advertising revenue, affiliate marketing partnerships, and digital content monetization
Analysis / Bias
FMT demonstrates selective coverage that favors center-right figures, with inadequate sourcing. In the article “Johari Ghani Wants Kg Sungai Baru Residential Units Completed on Time,” the outlet relies entirely on direct quotes from Johari, a major shareholder, without independent verification of project details or resident concerns. This represents bias by omission and selection of sources.
FMT’s coverage of “Anwar Condemns Israel-US Airstrikes on Iran” shows more balanced reporting on geopolitical issues, presenting Anwar’s statements with contextual information. However, this contrasts with domestic political coverage, where center-right figures (particularly the major shareholder Johari) receive uncritical coverage, while center-left Prime Minister Anwar faces greater scrutiny, with reporting on criticism from Human Rights Watch, former ministers, and anti-graft groups over failed reform promises.
Failed Fact Checks
- None identified to date, though sourcing standards remain inconsistent.
Overall, we rate Free Malaysia Today as Right-Center Biased based on uncritical favorable coverage of center-right figures (particularly major shareholder Johari Ghani) while applying greater scrutiny to center-left leadership. We rate them Mixed factually due to inconsistent sourcing. (M. Huitsing 06/06/2026)
Source: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/
Last Updated on June 6, 2026 by Media Bias Fact Check
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