The twenty first version of the World Press Freedom Index was launched earlier this month. It sheds gentle on main, typically radical modifications linked to political, social and technological upheavals in numerous areas around the globe.
The 2023 World Press Freedom Index – compiled yearly by Reporters With out Borders (RSF) – evaluates the atmosphere for journalism in 180 international locations and territories.
ALSO READ: AmaBhungane journalists worry arrest over Moti exposé
The most recent stats present the scenario is “very critical” in 31 international locations, “tough” in 42, “problematic” in 55 and “good” or “passable” in 52 international locations. In different phrases, the atmosphere for journalism is “unhealthy” in seven out of ten international locations, and passable in solely three out of ten.
How is Africa faring when it comes to press freedom?
In keeping with the Index, these are the highest 10 African international locations in relation to press freedom:
Namibia (twenty second)
South Africa (twenty fifth)
Cape Verde (33)
Seychelles (34)
Gambia (46)
Ivory Coast (54th)
Burkina Faso (58th)
Niger (61st)
Ghana (62)
Mauritius (63rd)
Africa has seen a couple of important rises, and an honourable point out goes to Botswana (sixty fifth) which has risen 35 locations, whereas Lesotho is available in simply behind in 67th place.
ALSO READ: Greek journalists protest over practice crash
eSwatini and Zimbabwe are languishing within the backside half of the Index, at 111th and 126th respectively.
In keeping with RSF, press freedom and journalism total has develop into harder within the continent and the scenario is now labeled as “unhealthy” in almost 40% of its international locations (towards 33% in 2022).
ALSO READ: Elon Musk suspends journalists’ Twitter accounts for stalking
They embody Burkina Faso (58th), the place native retransmission of worldwide broadcasters has been banned and journalists have been deported, and the Sahel usually, which is within the means of turning into a “no-news zone”. A number of journalists have additionally been murdered in Africa, together with Martinez Zongo in Cameroon (138th). In Eritrea (174th), the media stay in President Issaias Afwerki’s despotic grip.
Who’s on the high and who will get the picket spoon?
The nation that enjoys probably the most press freedom on the planet in as soon as once more, Norway – ranked first for the seventh yr operating. Unusually, a non-Nordic nation is ranked second, specifically Eire (up 4 locations at 2nd), forward of Denmark (down 1 place at third). The Netherlands (sixth) has risen 22 locations, recovering the place it held in 2021, earlier than crime reporter Peter R. de Vries was murdered.
ALSO READ: POPIA doesn’t apply to journalists
On the backside of the Index, the final three locations are taken up by Asian international locations: Vietnam (178th), which has virtually accomplished its hunt of unbiased reporters and commentators; China (down 4 at 179th), the world’s greatest jailer of journalists and one of many greatest exporters of propaganda content material; and, to no huge shock, North Korea at one hundred and eightieth.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY NICK PAWSON
