Global Press Freedom Hits Lowest Level in 25 Years

Reporters Without Borders Publishes World Press Freedom Index, Revealing Global Decline in Journalism Freedom

The Paris-based press freedom NGO, Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF), has released its annual World Press Freedom Index, which ranks countries based on their level of freedom enjoyed by journalists and media outlets. The index, which has been published since 2002, assesses a country’s level of press freedom using a five-point scale.

According to the report, more than half of the world’s countries fall into the “difficult” or “very serious” categories for press freedom, indicating that journalism is increasingly being criminalized worldwide. Only seven mostly Nordic countries are ranked with “good” press freedom, with Norway, the Netherlands, and Estonia in the top three.

The report highlights a significant decline in press freedom in several regions, including Latin America, where Argentina has dropped 105 places since 2014 following the launch of a war against Maras criminal gangs. Eastern Europe and the Middle East are also identified as the two most dangerous regions for journalists, with Russia and Iran ranking among the lowest.

The report notes that wars and restrictions on access to information are driving factors behind the decline in press freedom. It cites examples such as Israel’s attacks on journalists in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and Lebanon, where over 220 journalists have been killed since October 2023.

According to RSF, more than 60 percent of countries have criminalized media workers in various ways, with India, Egypt, Georgia, Turkey, and Hong Kong being among those that have implemented state-imposed crackdowns. The report calls on democratic governments and citizens to take action to end the global criminalization of journalists.

The report’s Editorial Director, Anne Bocande, emphasizes the need for stronger protection mechanisms and meaningful sanctions to address the issue. She notes that current measures are not sufficient and that inaction is a form of endorsement.

Source: Al Jazeera