Politicians Dash Press Freedom in Europe, Raise Hope in the Americas

Michael Hedges October 22, 2009 Follow on Twitter

Five European nations tied for the top rank in the annual Reporters sans Frontiers (RSF) Press Freedom Index. Below that, changes in rankings show very bright spots and more than a few grim reminders of how fragile freedom of the press remains. The effect of 'meddling' politicians and corruption is now more obvious than ever.

“It is disturbing to see European democracies such as France, Italy and Slovakia fall steadily in the rankings year after year,” said RSF secretary-general Jean-François Julliard in a statement on the annual report’s release (October 20). “Europe should be setting an example as regards civil liberties. How can you condemn human rights violations abroad if you do not behave irreproachably at home? The Obama effect, which has enabled the United States to recover 20 places in the index, is not enough to reassure us.”

Top ranked, again, are Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Ireland moved into the top ranking from 4th last year and 8th in 2007. Of the top 20 nations ranked in the RSF report 15 are European (11 EU Member States), down from 18 in 2008. Malta, ranked 11th, was not surveyed in the 2008 report. From outside Europe the top 20 include New Zealand (13), Australia (16), Japan (17), Canada (19) and the United States (20).

The United States returned to the top 20 of the RSF Press Freedom Index rankings from 41st in 2008 because “judicial authorities are no longer jailing journalists and violating civil liberties in the name of national security as they were in the Bush era.” The American improvement was the greatest among the 175 countries surveyed. Also in the Americas, improvement in press freedom was noted for Haiti and Uruguay.

Worldwide, those nations dropping farthest in the Press Freedom Index over the past year are scattered around the globe. Fall the most, year to year, was Israel, to 93rd from 66th, falling behind Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and Lebanon among Middle Eastern States. “Israel’s media are outspoken and investigate sensitive subjects thoroughly,” said RSF, “but military censorship is still in force.”

Madagascar’s RSF index ranking dropped 40 places. South Korea’s index ranking fell 30 places to 69th from 47th in 2008. In 2006 South Korea placed 31st. “It has been confirmed that since inauguration of President Lee Myung-bak, the freedom of press in South Korea has greatly declined,” wrote The Hankyoreh (October 21).

Of the 27 EU Member States, 15 have 2009 rankings lower than 2008. By the RSF Index rankings the 12 new EU Member States are the poorest performing in press freedom. Only Poland, Cyprus, Malta and Lithuania showed improved rankings.

Where Press Freedom rankings among European States dropped – including France and Italy – the threat to journalists and journalism is less to overt violence than government “meddling in the media by politicians.” French President Nicolas Sarkozy has angered French media watchers and journalists since taking office by a seemingly endless stream of steps to bring broadcasting – public and private – under control.

And then there’s Italy. RSF’s criticism joined an increasing number of voices pointing at the damaging effect of “meddling” – and outright corruption – on press freedom. “Il Cavaliere’s (referring to Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi) harassment of the media, increased meddling, mafia violence against journalists who expose its activity and a bill that that would drastically curb the media’s ability to publish official phone tap transcripts explain why Italy fell for the second year running,” said the RSF report.

The Reporters sans Frontiers Press Freedom Index is based on interviews with journalists, academics and media watchers. The Press Freedom Index in 2009 ranked 175 countries. However subjective, it serves as an important barometer for the state of journalistic freedom.

Slovakia’s Press Freedom Index ranking dropped to 44th from 7th, farther than any other European country. RSF noted “government meddling in media activities and the adoption in 2008 of a law imposing an automatic right of response in the press,” adding “the Culture Minister has considerable influence over publications.” Asked about the RSF report Prime Minister Robert Fico said he saw “no obstacles to the freedom of the press that would restrict journalists,” reported Noviny (October 21).

Bulgaria’s ranking fell to 68th, the lowest ranking among EU Member States, falling from 45th in 2005. Croatia, the prime candidate for the next round of EU Membership, fell 33 places to 78th, largely based on the prime-time murder of a newspaper publisher, little progress on a trial for those accused and a certain official blindness to organized crime. For Macedonia, on the other hand, the Press Freedom ranking rose to 34th place, the best ranking of any Balkans country. Albania, at 88th, ranked lowest in the Balkans.

Russia’s Press Freedom ranking “slipped” to 153rd, now lower than Belarus, which actually showed an improved ranking at 151st.

Banning newspapers, censoring journalists and a pitched battle between the Prime Minister and a major broadcasters and publisher pushed the RSF Press Freedom Index ranking for Turkey to 122nd from 102nd in 2008. RSF noted “a surge in cases of censorship, especially censorship of media that represent minorities (above all the Kurds), and efforts by members of government bodies, the armed forces and the judicial system to maintain their control over coverage of matters of general interest.” Local observers blame the tax case against Dogan Media.

“Although I have always been skeptical about rankings of all kinds, I believe that the RSF’s worldwide index should be taken as an indicator of how press freedom in Turkey is rapidly losing ground,” said Bilgi University Professor Asl Tunc, to Hurriyet (October 21) “We were not proud of our previous rankings either, but our latest spot is simply embarrassing and it should be interpreted as a wake-up call for the political establishment.”