Press freedom around the world is under greater threat than ever before, according to the latest report from Reporters Without Borders (RSF). For the first time in history, its World Press Freedom Index classifies the global state of press freedom as “difficult”.
Ahead of World Press Freedom Day on Saturday, RSF has published its annual World Press Freedom Index. In the report, the non-profit organisation concludes that press independence is weakening around the world due to difficult economic, political and social conditions.
Europe remains the region where journalists are most free to report, says RSF, with seven countries rated “good” for press freedom. Norway tops the list, followed by Estonia and the Netherlands. At the bottom of the list are China, North Korea and Eritrea.
Intimidation and censorship attempts
Belgium scores a “satisfactory” rating, dropping from 16th to 18th in the index. “Despite a relatively high level of trust in the media, Belgian journalists are sometimes subjected to intimidation and violence while covering protests,” RSF says. The report also mentions online threats against journalists, especially women, and censorship attempts, referring to lawsuits filed before publication to prevent coverage.
“More than half of the world’s population now lives in countries where we categorize the press freedom situation as very serious”
In most other parts of the world, the situation is dire. “More than half of the world’s population now lives in countries where we categorize the press freedom situation as very serious,” says Anja Osterhaus, director of RZG. In 160 of 180 countries, media are struggling or unable to achieve financial stability.
The best way to restore press freedom is to strengthen their economic independence, according to the report “Without economic independence, there can be no free press,” the RSF says. “The media’s financial independence is a necessary condition for ensuring free, trustworthy information that serves the public interest.”
