2024 World Press Freedom Index – Journalism under political pressure

Press freedom around the world is increasingly under threat, according to the latest annual World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

The 2024 Index reveals a significant decline in the political indicator, reflecting a global average drop of 7.6 points. This decline highlights the growing failure of governments and political authorities to protect journalism and ensure the public’s access to reliable, independent, and diverse news and information.

Governments Failing to Protect Journalism

RSF’s findings indicate a disturbing trend: many governments are not only failing to support media autonomy but are also increasing pressure on journalists.

In 2024, over half the world’s population will vote, and RSF warns of the worrying trend of declining political protection for press freedom. This trend is often accompanied by hostile actions that undermine journalists’ roles, including campaigns of harassment and disinformation.

Anne Bocandé, RSF’s editorial director, emphasized the lack of political will on the part of the international community to enforce the principles of protecting journalists, as stipulated in UN Security Council Resolution 2222. The ongoing war in Gaza has resulted in a record number of violations against journalists, with over 100 Palestinian reporters killed by the Israel Defence Forces since October 2023.

Journalism vs Disinformation in a Super Election Year

The 2024 Index highlights the impact of political events on press freedom. Elections often bring violence against journalists, as seen in Nigeria (112th) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (123rd). Military juntas in the Sahel, including Niger (down 19 to 80th), Burkina Faso (down 28 to 86th), and Mali (down one to 114th), continue to tighten their grip on the media.

In Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s reelection has raised concerns, with the country ranked 158th. The use of generative AI in disinformation campaigns is also a growing threat, exemplified by the deepfake audio of journalist Monika Todova during Slovakia’s parliamentary elections (down 12 to 29th).

Press Freedom in Asia-Pacific: A Declining Landscape

The press freedom situation has worsened significantly in the Asia-Pacific region, where 26 of the 32 countries and territories have seen their scores fall in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index. The region’s dictatorial governments have been tightening their hold over news and information with increasing vigour.

In Afghanistan (178th), three journalists were killed, and at least 25 were detained, causing the country to drop 26 places. North Korea (177th) and China (172nd), with their all-out persecution of the media, have stagnated in the depths of the Index.

Vietnam (174th) and Myanmar (171st) have pursued a policy of mass imprisonment of media personnel, ranking as the fourth and second biggest jailers of journalists globally, respectively.

An increase in government reprisals against journalists has added Cambodia (151st) to the countries with a “very serious” situation. In 2023, two journalists were murdered in the Philippines (134th), one of the region’s most dangerous countries for media professionals.

Pre-Election Violence and Repression

Against an election backdrop, violence against journalists increased in several of the region’s countries with almost total impunity. Three journalists were murdered in Bangladesh (165th). The number of arbitrary detentions and enforced disappearances of journalists increased in Pakistan (152nd), while journalists were subjected to physical and online attacks in Indonesia (111th).

Hostile Legislation Against Press Freedom

Some countries’ rises in the Index are misleading as their scores fell, and the rises were due to falls by countries previously above them. India (159th) moved up two places despite adopting more draconian laws, and Hong Kong (135th) rose five places despite increased persecution of journalists under Beijing’s national security law.

Censorship in Democracies

Censorship has returned to several countries that had seen improvements. In South Korea (62nd), several media outlets faced prosecution threats for supposed defamation. The threat of defamation proceedings keeps journalists on a short leash in Mongolia (109th), while news sites critical of the government are often blocked in Malaysia (107th).

Regional Press Freedom Models

No country in the Asia-Pacific region is among the Index’s top 15 this year. New Zealand (19th), despite a six-place fall, retains its position as the region’s leader. Other regional democracies like Timor-Leste (20th), Samoa (22nd), and Taiwan (27th) have also retained their roles as press freedom models, despite facing challenges to the right to information.

Increasing Control Over Social Media and the Internet

Many governments have increased control over social media and the Internet, restricting access and suppressing news. In Vietnam (174th), journalists expressing their opinions online are almost systematically imprisoned. China (172nd) continues to detain the most journalists worldwide and exercises strict control over information channels.

Political groups often fuel hatred and distrust of journalists, as seen in Italy (46th), where attempts to acquire major news agencies are underway. In Eastern Europe and Central Asia, media censorship has intensified, particularly in Belarus (down 10 to 167th) and Azerbaijan (down 13 to 164th).

The Best and the Worst in Press Freedom

The overall decline in the political indicator has affected even the top-ranked countries. Norway remains first but has seen a fall in its political score. Ireland (8th) has ceded its leading EU position to Denmark (2nd), followed by Sweden (3rd). At the bottom, Afghanistan (down 44 in the political ranking) and Eritrea are now the lowest-ranked countries, with lawless zones for media and high numbers of detained journalists.

Regional Press Freedom Overview

The Maghreb-Middle East region fares worst in the 2024 Index, followed by the Asia-Pacific region. Europe remains the region with the best press freedom, with improvements in Germany and challenges in Hungary, Malta, and Greece. The Americas face major issues with journalists covering organized crime and corruption, with the United States falling ten places.

Sub-Saharan Africa has seen increased political violence against journalists, particularly during elections. The Asia-Pacific region includes some of the world’s most dangerous countries for media personnel, including Myanmar (171st) and Afghanistan (178th).

In the Middle East and North Africa, nearly half the countries face a “very serious” press freedom situation, with Palestine being the deadliest country for journalists. Qatar remains the region’s only country not classified as “difficult” or “very serious.”

As elections approach worldwide, journalists are expected to face increased pressure and challenges in their work.