World Press Freedom Day, observed annually on the 3rd of May, is a special day dedicated to celebrating the importance of journalism, press freedom, and the right to access information. The day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1993, with this year’s theme being ‘A Press for the planet: Journalism in the face of environmental crisis’.
The day serves as a reminder of the vital role that journalism and its practitioners play in fostering democracy, accountability, and transparency globally.
Press freedom gives journalists the opportunity to investigate and report on issues of public interest without fear of censorship or external intimidation.
Despite the increasing agitation for press freedom, journalists in most parts of the world still face various challenges, including government censorship and control, intimidation, physical violence, ownership interference, and even imprisonment and extrajudicial killings.
World Press Freedom Day serves as a venue for raising awareness of these challenges and advocating for the protection of journalists and media freedom.
In commemoration of the 2024 World Press Freedom Day, Tribune Online takes a look at the top 10 countries with the least press freedom on this year’s World Press Freedom Index issued by Reporters Without Borders (RSF):
The World Press Freedom Index is based on an annual questionnaire distributed to journalists and media workers. It covers five indicators across over 100 questions: political context, legal framework, economic context, sociocultural context, and safety.
1. Eritrea
Eritrea is rated at the top of countries with the least overall press freedom in the world. It is the only country in Africa without private-owned media. Since the country’s independence, the government has held a monopoly over the broadcast media, while the few private-owned newspapers were closed in 2001. Eritrea’s media is closely controlled by the government, leaving no place for freely published news. In Eritrea, journalists face imprisonment, with many detained without trial for extended periods of time.
2. Syria
Syria is ranked second lowest in press freedom due to the country’s leaders’ long-standing persecution of opposition and independent media. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, no fewer than 717 journalists and media workers have been killed in the country since 2011. Also, the recent promulgation of Law No. 19, passed in 2024 in the country, restricts freedom of expression while supporting propaganda.
3. Afghanistan
Afghanistan has regularly ranked poorly in press freedom over the years due to political instability, armed conflict, and the presence of extremists, all of which have produced a difficult environment for journalists. Threats and violence against journalists in the country are worsened by a lack of legal protections and government enforcement.
4. North Korea
Just like in Eritrea, all media outlets in North Korea are owned by the government. Press freedom is absent, as the media serves only to promote the supreme leader and the country’s military. There is a high presence of censorship, and the media is used as a propaganda tool by the government.
5. Iran
Iran ranks low in press freedom due to government control, censorship laws, harassment of journalists, and limited independent journalism, which has created a climate of fear and suppression of dissenting voices in the country.
6. Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan, a country in Central Asia, is on the list of countries with the least press freedom due to the high presence of government control of the media, suppression of independent media, and lack of media diversity, among others, which characterize the country’s media system.
7. Vietnam
Vietnam’s low press freedom ranking can be traced to strict government control over media, limited independent journalism, harassment of journalists, censorship laws, and online monitoring. These factors have led to self-censorship among journalists, thereby limiting the coverage of critical issues and holding the government accountable.
8. Bahrain
Bahrain, a small island nation in the Middle East, is also on the list of countries with the least press freedom. Journalists have, on many occasions, faced harassment and imprisonment for reporting on sensitive topics or criticising the government. The enactment of the 2002 Press Law in the country also enabled censorship and closure of any media outlets that go against the government.
9. China
China maintains tight control over its media landscape through restriction, monitoring, and intimidation, all of which hinder press freedom in the country. The government also employs different censorship machinery, including the Great Firewall, which restricts citizens’ access to foreign websites and social media platforms. Journalists in the country face intimidation, surveillance, and even imprisonment for covering sensitive stories.
10. Myanmar
Myanmar is another country that has faced significant challenges regarding press freedom. The military junta that took over power in the country back in 2021 implemented strict measures to control and suppress independent journalism. The junta has targeted journalists, media organizations, and bloggers, subjecting them to arrests, violence, and intimidation.
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