Latest news with #WorldPressFreedomIndex
New Indian Express
20 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Mediapersons facing challenging times: CM Pinarayi Vijayan
KOCHI: Mediapersons working in visual and print media are facing multiple challenges with the development of information technology and the spread of social media, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Kochi on Saturday. Though they are called the protectors of democracy, mediapersons are facing challenges in their work sphere, he said while inaugurating the Journalist Welfare Fund organised by Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) in Kochi. 'As India's ranking in the World Press Freedom Index declines, there has been a decline in the rights of journalists. The anti-labour policies of the Union government add to the crisis. The government is trying to merge the Working Journalist Act with the labour code. Concerns have been raised about the fate of the Wage Board formed to ensure better remuneration for journalists,' said Pinarayi Vijayan. Congratulating the KUWJ for launching its own Welfare Fund, he termed it as the right move for survival in challenging times. The decision to support the families of journalists during difficult times reflects the compassion and care towards colleagues. Assuring that there are no insolvable issues between the government and journalists, the chief minister said the problems regarding the Journalist Pension Scheme can be solved through discussions. He also congratulated the KUWJ for launching Breaking D, a campaign against drug menace. Inaugurating Breaking D, the anti-drug campaign launched by the KUWJ, Opposition leader V D Satheesan said while the government agencies focus on enforcement, it is the duty of society to create awareness about the menace. He termed the Journalist Welfare Fund as a model that can be replicated by other organisations. It reflects the compassion and empathy of journalists towards their fellowmen, said Satheesan.
Deccan Herald
6 days ago
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Law must not silence free speech
India already ranks 159 out of 180 countries in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index. Giving a government-appointed body – with the regulatory authority headed by the Kannada and Culture minister – the power to determine truth is not just risky; it could lead to State overreach.
Days of Palestine
7 days ago
- Politics
- Days of Palestine
Israel Accused of Blocking International Media Access to Gaza to Avoid Scrutiny
DayofPal– Israel is facing growing international criticism for its continued refusal to allow international journalists into the Gaza Strip. Media advocates and press freedom organizations say the move is aimed at restricting transparency and evading accountability during its protracted military campaign. In a sharply worded analysis published by Sky News, Executive Editor and Managing Director Jonathan Levy accused Israeli authorities of deliberately obstructing foreign media access to Gaza, where more than 20 months of bombardment have left the Strip devastated and effectively sealed off from outside scrutiny. 'Israel's confidence in the integrity of its wartime conduct is not matched by a willingness to allow international journalists into Gaza to witness what is going on there for themselves,' Levy wrote. 'The ongoing denial of access feels much less about the safety of journalists and more about preventing proper scrutiny and accountability.' Since the war began in October 2023, Israel has barred independent foreign journalists from entering Gaza, allowing only limited, military-supervised media embeds lasting a few hours. Israeli officials have cited concerns over reporter safety. However, Levy, along with other veteran journalists, pointed out that media outlets have covered previous wars in Gaza despite the risks. 'The risks are real, for sure,' Levy acknowledged. 'But they're risks that we accept. It's what we do.' The media blackout has come under increased scrutiny as local Palestinian journalists continue to document the war under harrowing conditions, often at great personal cost. According to Gaza's Government Media Office, at least 227 Palestinian journalists have been killed in Israeli airstrikes since the conflict began. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate has described it as 'the largest massacre of journalists in history.' Reporters Without Borders (RSF), in its 2025 World Press Freedom Index, identified Palestine as the most dangerous place in the world for journalists, reporting that nearly 200 journalists and media workers have been killed by Israeli forces in the conflict's first 18 months. At least 42 of those journalists were killed while on assignment, RSF said. 'Trapped in the enclave, journalists in Gaza have no shelter and lack everything, including food and water,' RSF reported. A study by Brown University's Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, titled News Graveyards: How Dangers to War Reporters Endanger the World, declared the Israeli campaign in Gaza the deadliest conflict for journalists in modern history. The study reveals that the toll is surpassing the combined tolls of the U.S. Civil War, both World Wars, the Korean and Vietnam wars, the Balkan conflicts, and the post-9/11 war in Afghanistan. 'In 2023, a journalist or media worker was killed every four days. In 2024, it was once every three days,' the report found. The majority of those killed were local reporters. Levy also highlighted what he called a troubling effort to delegitimize the limited reporting that does emerge from Gaza. 'What reporting has been possible is often shamefully labelled as anti-Semitic and compared to the darkest periods in Jewish history,' he said. 'This constitutes a war on truth that is at odds with Israel's proud and oft-repeated claim to be the Middle East's only democracy.' The Center for Protecting Palestinian Journalists (PJPS) described the targeting of journalists as part of a wider pattern of human rights violations. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) echoed these concerns, stating that the war represents a historic low for journalist protections in war zones. 'This war is unprecedented in its impact on journalists and demonstrates a major deterioration in global norms,' said CPJ President Jodie Ginsberg. CPJ and other press freedom organizations have accused Israel of attempting to deflect responsibility for journalist deaths, suppress investigations, and absolve its military of accountability. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemned the ongoing situation as 'a massacre taking place in Palestine before the eyes of the entire world,' calling 2024 'one of the worst years' in history for media professionals. Shortlink for this post:
Business Insider
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Insider
10 African countries where press freedom is on the decline
The year 2025 continues to witness an alarming escalation of threats to press freedom across the globe, with several African countries experiencing some of the worst crackdowns on independent journalism and press freedom. Business Insider Africa presents 10 African countries with declining press freedom The list is courtesy of the World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders African countries like Cameroon, Rwanda, and Somalia remain hostile environments for journalists due to ongoing conflicts and restrictive laws. At the core of this attack on press freedom as seen in some African countries is a complex interplay of factors, including political regimes tightening control over information, inaccessible legal systems, and the exertion of state and corporate influence to coerce the media into compliance, particularly in conflict-ridden or authoritarian states. According to the latest World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), press freedom in several African countries has deteriorated significantly, marked by some of the lowest global scores and a rising toll of detained and killed journalists. This decline is attributed to state censorship, legal crackdowns, insecurity, and financial pressures, which ultimately compromises media independence and economic viability. Notably; RSF's global ranking and scoring system assesses 180 countries based on five key indicators: political context, legal framework, economic situation, sociocultural conditions, and safety. Business Insider Africa highlights 10 African Countries where Press decline have reached alarming heights, based on their latest rankings, press freedom scores, and the number of journalists killed or detained this year: Country Index Score Global Rank No. of Journalists Killed or Detained Eritrea 11.32 180 14 detained Egypt 24.74 170 20 detained Rwanda 35.85 146 3 detained Ethiopia 36.92 145 6 detained Libya 40.42 137 1 detained Somalia 40.49 136 5 detained DR Congo 42.31 133 1 killed / 4 detained Cameroon 42.75 131 4 detained Tunisia 43.48 129 4 detained Nigeria 46.81 122 5 detained The 2025 RSF Press Freedom Barometer reveals the scale of the crisis: A Continental Crisis Eritrea remains at the bottom of the global rankings, characterized by a complete absence of a functioning press and the prolonged detention of at least 14 journalists without trial. Notable cases include Dawit Isaak and Seyoum Tsehaye, who have been imprisoned for decades. Egypt follows closely, maintaining a harsh grip on its media environment through military and political control. Currently, 20 journalists are detained under anti-terror and state security laws, while many independent media outlets have been shut down or forced out of the country. In Ethiopia, ongoing conflict and rising authoritarianism have reversed years of press reform. Six journalists, including Dawit Begashaw, are currently detained. Cameroon, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Somalia are consistently ranked among the most perilous for press freedom, plagued by ongoing conflicts and draconian laws that instill fear in reporters. The Democratic Republic of Congo has tragically lost one journalist, Patrick Adonis Numbi of Pamoja TV, this year, underscoring the precarious environment in conflict zones like eastern DRC. Nigeria, Africa's largest democracy, has dropped 10 places in the global ranking this year. According to RSF, five journalists are currently detained, and media independence is being undermined by financial dependence on state and corporate advertisers. As Reporters Without Borders (RSF) continuously collects global information on abuses against journalists, updating its press freedom barometer daily, it highlights the need for increased protection and support for media professionals worldwide due to ongoing threats and violence against journalists, In Africa and beyond.
Business Insider
21-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
South Africa leads Africa in the latest global press freedom ranking
Only three African countries rank in the top 30 globally, while economic pressure, political control, and insecurity undermine press freedom across the continent. The 2025 World Press Freedom Index ranks South Africa 27th, marking it as the top African nation for press freedom. Namibia and Cape Verde also feature in the top 30 globally, showcasing their commitment to press freedom standards. The report highlights the interplay between economic and political instability and diminished media freedom across the continent. In the newly released 2025 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), South Africa has been ranked as the most press-friendly country in Africa, placing 27th out of 180 countries globally, a notable jump of 11 positions from its ranking last year. The country retains its position in the 'satisfactory' category, lauded for its reliable legal protections, pluralistic media landscape, and relative independence from government and corporate interference. Namibia (28th) and Cape Verde (30th) also rank in the same category, joining a small group of African countries that uphold press freedom standards alongside European and Asian counterparts. However, the continental trend remains concerning, with most African nations falling into the "difficult" or "very serious" press freedom zones and several experiencing record declines in media safety, legal protection, and financial sustainability. What the World Press Freedom Index Measures The World Press Freedom Index evaluates media freedom in 180 countries and territories using five key indicators: Political context, Legal framework; Economic context; Sociocultural context and Safety of journalists Score Range Zone African Countries Meaning [85 - 100 points] Good Journalism is fully protected; few or no constraints. [70 - 85 points] Satisfactory South Africa (27), Namibia (28), Cape Verde (30) Media is mostly free, but vulnerable to institutional or commercial pressure [55 - 70 points] Problematic Ghana (49), Mauritius (50), Senegal (74), Seychelles (59), Botswana (65), Malawi (72), Gabon (41) Structural issues and pressure from political or economic actors exist. [40 - 55 points] Difficult Nigeria (122), Tunisia (129), Cameroon (131), DR Congo (133), Somalia (136), Libya (137), Kenya (117), Benin (92), Togo (121), Guinea (103), Burkina Faso (105), Mali (119), Uganda (143), Burundi (125) Press freedom is significantly constrained; journalists often self-censor [0 - 40 points] Very Serious Rwanda (146), Ethiopia (145), Egypt (170), Eritrea (180 Journalism is dangerous or impossible; extreme censorship and violence occur RSF's findings highlight a concerning trajectory between economic elites' influence over media and editorial self-censorship. In many African countries, media outlets rely heavily on advertising revenue from state actors or politically aligned corporations, compromising their independence. Although some African nations demonstrate stability and openness, the media advocacy agency warns that the economic and political climate in much of Africa is becoming increasingly hostile to journalism. Despite challenges, RSF identifies South Africa, Namibia, and Cape Verde as examples of how legal protections, institutional accountability, and civic engagement can safeguard press freedom.
