Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has released its updated World Press Freedom Index, highlighting deteriorating conditions in seven out of every 10 countries. RSF reviewed 180 countries and territories, stating that the situation in Tajikistan, India and Turkey had fallen from “problematic” to “very bad” for newsgathering. Meanwhile, an unprecedented 31 countries are in a “very serious situation,” driven by authoritarian leaders suppressing media. Out of 180 countries, Europe remains the easiest place for journalists to work; Norway has retained its top ranking for the seventh year in a row, while the UK fell from 24th to 26th. RSF blamed this, in part, to legislative proposals and a lack of pluralism that allows some media organizations to dominate the UK national newspaper market. In the US, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has been pressing for two bills aimed at loosening protections for journalists. Despite concerns, they have stalled.
World Press Freedom Day is held each year on 3 May, and is meant to remind governments of their duty to uphold press and expression freedoms. Observations of World Press Freedom Day started in 1993 and highlight the importance of protecting journalists and promoting independent, free media. The day also reminds people of the critical role that journalists play in holding the powerful accountable and ensuring that the general public has access to accurate and impartial information. Events were held around the world on 3 May in recognition of the day.
UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, marked the day by warning of the global decline of media freedom. In particular, he highlighted the 50 percent increase in killing journalists in 2022 and considered the press as the “foundation of democracy and justice.” Guterres called on countries to halt efforts to suppress the truth or those reporting it and highlighted the targeting of journalists both online and offline. He singled out Russia’s treatment of journalists and its law penalising the spread of false military information as examples of media suppression. The UN head urged global unity to protect press freedoms from attack.
In Ghana, the government has commended the country’s media ahead of World Press Freedom Day. In a statement, Ghana praised journalists for raising awareness about many vital issues and urged an increasing focus on economic rights. The authorities stated: “The quest to have all citizens fully access their economic rights is yet to achieve full effect especially as the world faces dim economic forecasts following recent global challenges. While urging the media in Ghana to keep the spotlight on all human rights, we encourage an even sharper focus on efforts to ensure that the economic rights of citizens are fully actualized.”
Overall, media freedom has declined in 85 percent of global countries over the past five years. This decline is worrying in the context of a world where knowledge and information are vital, and the role of an impartial press is increasingly critical in a functioning democracy.
