Does Free Malaysia Today Spread Misinformation? Bias Rating and Fact-Check Review
Free Malaysia Today Overview and Political Bias
Free Malaysia Today (FMT) is often characterized by observers as a liberal-leaning independent portal. While some critics allege it historically favored opposition narratives, others suggest it maintains a pro-business stance. The outlet is sometimes accused of using sensationalist headlines, though it claims to provide balanced, multi-perspective reporting on Malaysian politics.
| Standpoint | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Overall political leaning | Center |
| Estimated number of readers | 12,000,000 |
| Israel support | Pro-Palestine (reflects Malaysian national consensus, but maintains secular reporting) |
| Use of loaded / emotional language | Medium |
| Target Audience | Mass market / English-speaking urbanites |
Free Malaysia Today History
Established in 2009, FMT emerged as a significant alternative to government-controlled traditional media. Founded by veteran journalist M. Rajan, it initially focused on political reporting during the 'Reformasi' era. Over the years, it expanded into a comprehensive news site, becoming one of Malaysia’s most-visited English-language digital news platforms.
World News Map
Who owns Free Malaysia Today?
FMT is owned by FMT Media Sdn Bhd. The outlet's management has historically been associated with Nelson Fernandez. While specific financial backers are not always publicly disclosed, the site is widely understood to be funded through commercial advertising and private investment, rather than direct government subsidies or political party ownership.