
Press freedom is on the decline around the world.
Washington, 5 Sya’ban 1438/2 May 2017 (MINA) – Only 13 percent of the world’s population enjoyed free press last year, according to democracy watchdog Freedom House in yet another international study proving press freedom is on the decline around the world.
Also Read: Film on Rohingya Tragedy Wins Award at Venice Film Festival
In its Freedom of the Press 2017 report entitled Press Freedom’s Dark Horizon, Freedom House identifies a growing trend in Asia of the use of defamation laws by governments and powerful individuals to silence and punish criticism in the press.
It says in 2016, authorities in the region provided “greater attention to [cracking down on] unfavourable commentary on social media in particular.”
Just last week, Reporters Without Borders released its World Press Freedom Index 2017 which similarly depicted a worrying decline in media freedom around the world.
Also Read: WHO Urges Afghanistan to Lift Restrictions on Female Aid Workers
10 Worst-rated countries ro media freedom
Asian countries listed among the 10 worst-rated countries for media freedom include North Korea and the Middle East’s Syria, Iran, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. Others on the list of 10 are Crimea, Cuba, Equatorial Guinea and Eritrea, asiancorrespondent.com rported.
Nevertheless, Freedom House highlighted the Chinese Communist Party’s growing crackdown on dissidents, including the jailing of Zhang Haitao for 19 years for repeatedly criticising the government on social media and providing information to foreign media outlets.
At least 111 bloggers, journalists and minorities were sentenced to prison in 2016 for sharing or accessing information online, says the report.
Also Read: Rohingya Muslims Face Starvation Amidst Arakan Army’s Seizure of Land and Fisheries
Meanwhile in Burma (Myanmar), Freedom House notes a “marked increase” in defamation cases and telecommunications law against critics under Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD).
According to the report, “The increased use of the law against government critics and even ordinary social media users called into question the NLD’s commitment to freedom of expression.”
Cambodian authorities stepped up monitoring of social media channels ahead of the 2018 national election, pursuing criminal action against prominent opposition figures and ordinary citizens whose comments were considered “politically sensitive.”
In 2016, Pakistan implemented a cybercrime law granting its government the power to block or remove virtually any content based on vague criteria such as “public order” and “the interest of the glory of Islam.”
Also Read: Two Powerful Aftershocks Strike Afghanistan as Death Toll Surpasses 2,200
Sri Lanka saw the world’s largest increase in press freedom in 2016, while Thailand, Nauru and Turkey were among the countries with the biggest declines.
Global press freedom will likely continue to decline
World Press Freedom Day is marked on May 5, with the global celebration being held in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Also Read: China Voices Support for Two-State Solution to Palestinian Conflict
“Global press freedom will likely continue to decline in the absence of strong leadership from the United States, EU members, and other democracies,” said the non-profit Global Investigative Journalism Network in response to the report.
“The global flow of accurate news and information will consequently weaken, and citizens, businesses, and policymakers in all countries will pay the price.” T//RS5/RS1)
Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
Also Read: UNICEF: 350,000 Rohingya Children at Risk of Losing Access to Education by 2026
ADVERTISEMENT
SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT
Asian Governments Increasingly Repressive, Curbing Criticism Online, Says Watchdog
muhadjir - Tuesday, 2 May 2017 - 11:49 WIB
Tuesday, 2 May 2017 - 11:49 WIB
47 Views ㅤ
Press freedom is on the decline around the world.
Washington, 5 Sya’ban 1438/2 May 2017 (MINA) – Only 13 percent of the world’s population enjoyed free press last year, according to democracy watchdog Freedom House in yet another international study proving press freedom is on the decline around the world.
Also Read: Film on Rohingya Tragedy Wins Award at Venice Film Festival
In its Freedom of the Press 2017 report entitled Press Freedom’s Dark Horizon, Freedom House identifies a growing trend in Asia of the use of defamation laws by governments and powerful individuals to silence and punish criticism in the press.
It says in 2016, authorities in the region provided “greater attention to [cracking down on] unfavourable commentary on social media in particular.”
Just last week, Reporters Without Borders released its World Press Freedom Index 2017 which similarly depicted a worrying decline in media freedom around the world.
Also Read: WHO Urges Afghanistan to Lift Restrictions on Female Aid Workers
10 Worst-rated countries ro media freedom
Asian countries listed among the 10 worst-rated countries for media freedom include North Korea and the Middle East’s Syria, Iran, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. Others on the list of 10 are Crimea, Cuba, Equatorial Guinea and Eritrea, asiancorrespondent.com rported.
Nevertheless, Freedom House highlighted the Chinese Communist Party’s growing crackdown on dissidents, including the jailing of Zhang Haitao for 19 years for repeatedly criticising the government on social media and providing information to foreign media outlets.
At least 111 bloggers, journalists and minorities were sentenced to prison in 2016 for sharing or accessing information online, says the report.
Also Read: Rohingya Muslims Face Starvation Amidst Arakan Army’s Seizure of Land and Fisheries
Meanwhile in Burma (Myanmar), Freedom House notes a “marked increase” in defamation cases and telecommunications law against critics under Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD).
According to the report, “The increased use of the law against government critics and even ordinary social media users called into question the NLD’s commitment to freedom of expression.”
Cambodian authorities stepped up monitoring of social media channels ahead of the 2018 national election, pursuing criminal action against prominent opposition figures and ordinary citizens whose comments were considered “politically sensitive.”
In 2016, Pakistan implemented a cybercrime law granting its government the power to block or remove virtually any content based on vague criteria such as “public order” and “the interest of the glory of Islam.”
Also Read: Two Powerful Aftershocks Strike Afghanistan as Death Toll Surpasses 2,200
Sri Lanka saw the world’s largest increase in press freedom in 2016, while Thailand, Nauru and Turkey were among the countries with the biggest declines.
Global press freedom will likely continue to decline
World Press Freedom Day is marked on May 5, with the global celebration being held in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Also Read: China Voices Support for Two-State Solution to Palestinian Conflict
“Global press freedom will likely continue to decline in the absence of strong leadership from the United States, EU members, and other democracies,” said the non-profit Global Investigative Journalism Network in response to the report.
“The global flow of accurate news and information will consequently weaken, and citizens, businesses, and policymakers in all countries will pay the price.” T//RS5/RS1)
Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
Also Read: UNICEF: 350,000 Rohingya Children at Risk of Losing Access to Education by 2026
Other Related News
Israeli Tanks and Bulldozers Advance Deeper into Gaza City
Another Ship Joins Global Sumud Flotilla Sailing to Gaza
Norwegian Football Association to Donate Israel Match Profits for Humanitarian Aid on Gaza
Arab-Islamic Leaders Condemn Israeli Attack on Qatar, Call for Strong Regional Response
Israeli Army Destroys Gaza’s Tallest Tower After Evacuation Order
Another Palestinian Journalist Killed by Israeli Army in Gaza Strip
Israel Orders Seizure of Ibrahimi Mosque Courtyard Roof in Hebron
Gaza Residents on Social Media: ‘This is the Last Call’
Recommendation for you
Another Palestinian Journalist Killed by Israeli Army in Gaza Strip
Israeli Strike Kills Journalists in Gaza, Death Toll Reaches 246
Israeli Strike Kills Another Palestinian Journalist in Gaza, Death Toll Rises to 239
Israel Kills Palestinian Journalist Anas al-Sharif and Three Others in Gaza
Two More Palestinian Journalists Killed in Gaza, Death Toll Rises to 231
Israeli Forces Extend Al Jazeera Office Closure in Ramallah by 60 Days
Gaza Death Toll Approaches 64,900 as Starvation Claims More Lives
Nine Global Sumud Flotilla Boats Depart Tunisia for Gaza
Palestinian Figures Warn of Escalating Israeli Threats to Aqsa Mosque
70% of Poles Believe Israel Committing Genocide in Gaza
Over 20,000 Israeli Soldiers Wounded, Half Suffer Mental Health Disorders
Gaza Malnutrition Crisis Deepens, Child Death Toll Rises
Over 20 Palestinians Killed in Israeli Strikes Across Gaza
Indonesian Delegation Awaits Input on Naming Ship for Sumud Flotilla to Gaza
Ireland, Spain, and Slovenia Threaten Eurovision Boycott if Israel Participates
Rescue Efforts Underway as Powerful Earthquake Kills 800 in Eastern Afghanistan
Al-Aqsa Mosque Covered by Snow
Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have held their first joint military drills
Indonesia Receives 500 Thousand Masks from UNDP