A free press is a fundamental need of an informed, free-thinking global society. What happens when the lines of communication are clogged by financial, political, and corporate pressures? When the global media is thwarted and censored, how possible is an informed public? Freedom House, an independent watchdog group, has compiled information on the state of press freedom throughout the world. According to the organization, free journalism is on the decline in 2010.
What is Freedom House?
Freedom House is a well-established watchdog organization, founded in 1941. It was created by a group of Americans focused on spreading and fortifying democratic values beyond the borders of the United States. Eleanor Roosevelt was one of the first honorary co-chairpersons. The group works through the promotion and advocacy of the American ideal of freedom, to international institutions, democratic nations, and policymakers in the US.
One of the major focuses of Freedom House is freedom of the press. Every year a report is released based on an evaluation of the global media and signs of progress or repression of journalistic freedom. According to the organization's research, free press is on the decline, with slightly less than one-third of the global community living in nations without free media, one third live where there are limitations to freedom of expression, and a little more than one third live in nations with a free press.
The Global Media and Press Freedom in 2010
Freedom in the global media has been declining for the past eight years, as of the release of the 2010 report by Freedom House. The areas with the greatest decline are Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East. With the widespread use of internet censorship, nations such as Russia and China have been slipping towards the partially-free or not free categories as they block the spread of information through new forms of media. There continues to be a problem with violence towards journalists.
Which nations have the most optimal status according to the report?
- Finland
- Iceland
- Norway
- Sweden
- Denmark
Which are the worst five nations in terms of free press?
- Eritrea
- Libya
- Burma
- Turkmenistan
- North Korea
What are the worldwide threats to press freedom?
- Government restrictions and interference
- Political bias
- Violence and the threat of violence against journalists
- Internet censorship
- Corporate media concentration
While there is a severe problem of limited access to information and lack of freedom of expression in many nations in the third world, the West is not without its restrictions and obstacles, despite a commitment to democratic ideals. The United States is ranked below nations such as Jamaica, Portugal, and the Czech Republic. The United Kingdom is even further down the list because of problems with libel law and media concentration.
The Danger of Censored Media in a Global Society
With the internet and expanding information technology a scholar in Pakistan can share ideas with a group of students in Estonia. A policy maker in China can talk directly with civilians in Tibet. Despite national and cultural boundaries, the world is now a connected network rather than a series of separate groups. The technology and means for a global community are in place. Without a free global media however, this new sense of connection and exchange of information is limited and progression towards a global society is stunted.
Is a democratic, free-thinking world possible? With awareness of censorship and obstacles to free media, individuals can do their part to support free resources of information rather than corporate or government driven media. With an awareness of issues in other nations, progressive states can work towards the dissolution of these problems. The 2010 Freedom House report on press freedom shows the need for everyone to make a commitment to worldwide freedom of expression and the unobstructed spread of truth.
Brenna Coleman - Brenna is a freelance writer focusing on natural health and beauty. She has written hundreds of articles, helping readers find ways to ...
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