Media Facing Suppression Worldwide

Media Facing Suppression Worldwide

The 2019 World Press Freedom Index, compiled by Reporters Without Borders, shows how hatred of journalists has degenerated into violence, contributing to an increase in fear.

The number of countries regarded as completely safe continues to decline, while authoritarian regimes continue to tighten their grip on the media.

The hostility towards journalists expressed by political leaders in many countries has incited increasingly serious and frequent acts of violence that have fuelled an unprecedented level of fear and danger for journalists.

Independent journalism in the world is driving the pressure of leaders who intend to consolidate their power, whether democratic or authoritarian.

The United States-based non-governmental organization, Freedom House, points out in the latest report on media and freedom for 2019 that the situation is alarming for the 13th consecutive year.

This year, for Albania, there has been no change in the evaluation of media freedom, with 68 points out of a possible 100, resulting in the country being categorized as 'partially free’.

The same categorization was also issued for Kosovo and the majority of the Western Balkan region, with the exception of Greece, which is considered as a free country.

For the Balkans, a more difficult and critical situation for journalistic freedom has been identified in Serbia and Montenegro.

These two countries are cited as to have taken a step backwards as a consequence of the unconstitutional power consolidation of the Serbian president, Aleksandar Vučić, and Montenegrin President, Milo Đukanović.

Media press tendencies have been observed in all regions, but mostly in Europe, Eurasia and the Middle East.

Of all the world’s regions, it is the Americas (both North and South) that have suffered the greatest deterioration in its regional score, measuring the level of press freedom constraints and violations at 3.6%.

A Freedom House expert recommends that freedom and media be strengthened through concrete policies in respect of citizens' rights through investment in education and preserve politics from foreign influences.

Furthermore, investment in electoral infrastructure to prevent manipulation was also recommended, as was greater protection of journalists, and the detention of persons or officials who abuse human rights or are involved in corruption.

Pёrktheu: Paola Pupla

EMISIONET