By Aws Star Al-Ghanami
May 3rd serves as a reminder to governments of their obligations to uphold press freedom, providing an opportunity for media professionals to reflect on issues of press freedom and professional ethics. World Press Freedom Day is a chance to stand in solidarity with media outlets that are suppressed and deprived of their right to operate freely. It is a day to honor journalists who have lost their lives while covering various issues.
May 3rd also serves as an annual occasion to celebrate the core principles of press freedom, to assess the state of press freedom worldwide, and to defend media outlets against attacks that threaten their independence. It is also a day to honor journalists who have died in the line of duty.
This day raises public awareness about violations of press freedom, reminding us that many countries around the world subject publications to censorship, impose fines, and leave them vulnerable to suspension or closure. Journalists, editors, and publishers face various forms of harassment, assault, detention, and even murder.
Press Freedom Under Threat Globally
Reporters Without Borders has sounded the alarm about the state of press freedom worldwide, warning that the situation is worsening under what it describes as "economic pressures." According to the organization's annual report, released just before World Press Freedom Day, media outlets and journalists face "problematic," "difficult," or "extremely dangerous" conditions in three-quarters of the 180 countries assessed. The organization stated that these "economic pressures," which are often less highlighted than the physical violations journalists face, represent a "major obstacle" to press freedom.
Reporters Without Borders highlighted widespread media closures due to economic pressures and the dominance of tech giants and billionaire owners, specifically noting a "worrying decline" in the United States under Donald Trump's administration.
The report indicated that in three-quarters of the 180 countries evaluated, journalists and media outlets face difficult or dangerous situations. For the first time globally, the situation was deemed "difficult," with the primary obstacle being economic restrictions, as reflected in the case of the U.S.
While Norway topped the rankings for the ninth consecutive year, the U.S. dropped two spots, ranking 57th, behind Sierra Leone. Reporters Without Borders’ editorial director, Anne Boukandé, told AFP that "the situation was already concerning" in the U.S. but worsened following Donald Trump's presidency due to his "daily attacks" on the media.
The organization also noted that Trump's administration politicized institutions, reduced support for independent media, and marginalized journalists, who faced growing hostility. In a recent report on the first 100 days of Trump's second term, the Committee to Protect Journalists stated that "press freedom is no longer a guaranteed right in the United States."
Mass Closures of Media Outlets
Trump initiated the dismantling of U.S. public media abroad, such as Voice of America, depriving "more than 400 million people" of access to reliable information, according to the NGO. The report stated, "Freezing foreign aid funds via USAID plunged hundreds of media outlets into critical financial instability," forcing some to shut down, particularly in Ukraine, which dropped to 62nd in the rankings, losing one position.
Amid these circumstances, vast "information deserts" are emerging in the U.S., as many local media outlets struggle financially.
Reporters Without Borders confirmed that these "economic pressures," less highlighted than the physical violations faced by journalists, remain a "key obstacle" to press freedom.
In about one-third of the world’s countries, including Tunisia (129th, down 11 spots) and Argentina (87th, down 21 spots), many news outlets resort to closing due to ongoing economic difficulties.
Around 30 countries have witnessed "mass closures" in recent years, leading to the exile of journalists, as seen in Nicaragua (172nd, down nine spots) and Afghanistan (175th, up three spots).
The situation is dire in Palestine, which ranked 163rd, dropping six spots. The organization accused the Israeli army of "destroying editorial offices and killing nearly 200 journalists," while in Haiti (112th, down 18 spots), "political instability" has driven the media economy into chaos.
Threat to Pluralism
The media sector’s economy is "undermined" by the dominance of the "GAFAM" tech companies (Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft), whose platforms "largely unregulated," capture an increasing share of advertising revenue while contributing to the spread of misleading or manipulated content.
The organization pointed out that "information freedom" is increasingly obstructed by opaque or arbitrary funding conditions, as seen in Hungary (68th, down one spot), where the government "chokes critical media outlets" through unequal distribution of state advertisements.
Even in countries with high rankings, such as Finland (5th) or Australia (29th, up 10 spots), the concentration of media within a few groups poses a "threat to pluralism," calling for caution.
In France (25th, down four spots), "a significant part of national journalism is controlled by a few large fortunes," according to Reporters Without Borders, questioning the "true independence of editorial boards."
The organization considered press freedom to be "extremely endangered" in 42 countries, including Jordan, Hong Kong, Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. Eritrea remains in last place, behind North Korea and China.
This ranking by Reporters Without Borders is based on "quantitative surveys of violations committed against journalists" and a "qualitative study" conducted by experts.
Threading the News
Dr. Amal Mousa wrote in Al-Sharq Al-Awsat about World Press Freedom Day: "It is one of the international days whose value increases every year for two reasons: first, the importance of the press itself, to the extent that considering it as the fourth estate now requires review, as the press has become both an active party and a tool, far from being just a conveyor. The second reason is the issues surrounding media, including the role of the press, freedom challenges, professional standards, and conscience. It is also important to note that freedom encapsulates multiple complex problems concerning the press, and it is clear that freedom is pursued amid all these issues."
Before discussing whether press freedom exists or not, it seems crucial to take a look at today’s reality of news and information: Who creates the news, and how?
Today, there are two types of news: news created by reality with its events and facts, and news manufactured in a "news factory" that tailors the news. Unfortunately, the dangerous news from the first type often gets suppressed and replaced with news that has been "tailored" to fit certain interests and influences. Thus, in the age of information — and the so-called information flow — we observe the phenomenon of news suppression, a suppression carried out by fake alternative information. This is the most dangerous manipulation against what is called public opinion, as the obscurity and contradictions in information and news prevent a clear public opinion on a given issue. Clear and credible information draws people together, whether positively or negatively, creating pressure groups and enabling civil society to play its role in defending truth, justice, and peace.
Censorship of Free Speech as an Injustice to Both the Speaker and the Listener
Social media platforms have turned into spaces that stifle free speech, allowing vulgarity and fostering division and chaos. What is the solution? Fox News.
Most of us have lost trust in the dominant social media giants for many reasons. We no longer know if our posts are truly reaching our friends or followers, or if their reach is being suppressed due to our beliefs, political, or ideological backgrounds.
In the early days of the web in the late 1990s, moderation wasn't a big deal. The web was founded with an idealistic vision, and we were more polite online at that time. We mostly interacted with people we knew in real life or with communities of like-minded online enthusiasts. There were no armies of bots and trolls stoking chaos.
Today, in what is generally referred to as "Web 2," our news feeds are inflamed with anger. Bias, prejudice, vulgar language, and images and videos roam before our eyes. And when it comes to political discourse, Web 2 is a mess. A 2023 study by the Pew Research Center found that "nearly 80% of people in the U.S. believe social media has made people more divided in their political views," and about 70% said these platforms "have made people less civil in how they discuss politics."
The next version of the web, built on blockchain technology (known as "Web 3"), does not offer relief — as its moderation scheme leads to darker echo chambers.
However, despite these risks, we must have the freedom to express ourselves without being pressured by the "Big Brother" (a symbol of suppression in George Orwell’s 1984).
Time to Put AI on the Social Agenda
On World Press Freedom Day, the International Federation of Journalists, the global voice of journalists, calls for artificial intelligence (AI) to be at the top of the social dialogue agenda between journalists’ unions and media outlets. In line with UNESCO’s theme for this year, "Journalism in a Brave New World - The Impact of AI on Press Freedom," the International Federation of Journalists urges journalists, unions, and media organizations to work collectively to ensure AI serves the ethical production of news, protects press freedom, and safeguards jobs.
In its recommendations on AI usage, adopted in June 2024, the International Federation of Journalists emphasized that "AI cannot replace human journalists, and its production should not be considered as 'journalism.'”
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