According to this year’s RSF World Press Freedom Index, disinformation, artificial intelligence, and biased propaganda are threatening journalism in numerous countries across the globe.
The index released by Reporters Without Borders (RSB) showed that 31 countries were found to be in a “very serious situation”, with the best countries listed as green and the worst in the world as red on the map.
Talking about it, the RSF secretary general Christophe Deloire told The Guardian: “There is more red on the RSF map this year than ever before, as authoritarian leaders become increasingly bold in their attempts to silence the press.
“The international community needs to wake up to reality, and act together, decisively and fast, to reverse this dangerous trend.”
But which countries around the world were found to be the worst and the best for media freedom? Here is what the report revealed.
Which are the worst countries for media freedom?
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was found to be the world’s worst country for media freedom.
Known for being one of the strictest authoritarian regimes, RSF said it “tightly controls information and strictly prohibits independent journalism”.
The Korean Central News Agency, which the RSF refers to as “the government’s official mouthpiece”, is the only permitted local news source in the country. And the few foreign press agencies that are allowed to exist are kept under close surveillance.
China
The People’s Republic of China was the second worst when it came to press freedom.
RSF describes the country as “the world’s largest prison for journalists”, saying “its regime conducts a campaign of repression against journalism and the right to information worldwide”.
The biggest media groups in the country are state-owned and directly controlled by the authorities.
Vietnam
Vietnam, the third-worst country for media freedom, was defined as being “closely controlled by the single party” that has been in power since 1975, with independent journalists and bloggers being jailed.
This has led citizens to use social media and messaging platforms to circulate news and accurate information.
Iran
Following the passing of Mahsa Amini, a student who was arrested for being “inappropriately dressed” according to the country’s strict Islamic laws, on September 16, 2022, a huge wave of protests began. The press, however, was repressed from covering this, for the most part.
The RSF calls Iran “one of the world’s most repressive countries in terms of press freedom” and says it is now “one of the world’s biggest jailers” of reporters.
Turkmenistan
RSF says that the news in Turkmenistan is only in the form of propaganda, praising the government.
The organisation highlights the government’s tight control of the press and shared that citizens have no access to worldwide information on the internet and get fined if they try to use a VPN.
Which are the best countries for media freedom?
Norway
Norway was found to be the best country in the world for press freedom, with the nation’s laws closely protecting journalism.
The RSF describes the media landscape in Norway as “vibrant, featuring a strong public-service broadcaster and a diversified private sector”.
Ireland
Ireland was crowned the second best when it came to journalism freedom, with reporters allowed to work freely and without state interference.
Denmark
Denmark took the number three spot, with its diverse news landscape.
With the Danish people’s high level of distrust in social networks, the bond between the public media and society is said to have reached a new level of strength during the pandemic.
Sweden
Sweden, the world’s first country to adopt a press freedom law, highly values press independence.
However, the RSF noted, journalists in the country are still targeted by threats, abusive lawsuits, and online hate campaigns.
Finland
When Finland was under Swedish rule, it also benefitted from the world’s first censorship law.
While most media outlets are totally independent, the RSF notes that the recent state secrecy lawsuits against the country’s leading newspaper have created a climate of uncertainty.
