Report: Journalism not being protected on World Press Freedom Day

Political attacks on journalists are on the rise globally, as highlighted in the annual World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders. The report reveals a disturbing trend of detentions, misinformation, and suppression of independent voices targeting journalists.

With more than half of the world’s population heading to the polls in 2024, governments are failing to protect journalism, according to the organization. The BBC has reported that over 300 of its journalists are now working in exile due to increasing attacks on their reporting.

The RSF index ranks 180 countries based on the ability of journalists to work without interference or threats. Norway remains at the top, while Eritrea, known as an “information desert,” ranks at the bottom. The report also highlights the challenges faced by journalists in countries like China, Iran, Afghanistan, and Syria.

Authoritarian regimes in the Middle East are tightening their control over news and information, with Israel, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Iran being among the world’s biggest jailers of journalists. The report notes that at least 100 journalists have been killed in Gaza between October 2023 and May 2024.

In the United States, there has been a concerning 10-place drop in the rankings due to increasing attacks on journalists by political players. The report also criticizes the highly concentrated model of media ownership in the US, which prioritizes profits over public interest journalism.

Overall, the report sheds light on the challenges faced by journalists worldwide, including threats, detentions, and the spread of misinformation, emphasizing the need for greater protection of press freedom.