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 The World Association of Newspapers (WAN) says press freedom is under serious threat around the world from hostile governments, corrupt officials and organised gangs.
The organisation published its half-yearly review of press freedom at its annual World Newspaper Congress and World Editors Forum in Göteborg, Sweden. The findings have come as no surprise to many of the delegates talking in foyers, over meals and in the many cafés in this port city. Many have sobering stories of threats and intimidation to tell. This annual gathering is an opportunity to learn from others facing similar obstacles to media freedom.
WAN says press freedom is under serious threat from many sources -- gangs and corrupt officials in Latin America, autocratic regimes in the Middle East, conflicts in Africa, hostile governments in Asia, and from death threats and prosecutions in central Asia and Europe. - Attacks on the media remain commonplace in Latin America, where local gangs and corrupt government officials use deadly violence to silence critical voices. Four journalists were killed in the past six months and a number of media professionals were attacked, threatened and harassed. The region is distinguished by a general lack of respect for journalists.
- In the Middle East and North Africa, the past six months have been marked by a number of setbacks in the area of press freedom, mainly due to autocratic regimes that prevent independent voices from making themselves heard. Bloggers throughout the region continue to be a source of news and information ignored or censored by the government controlled media.
- In sub-Saharan Africa, reporting on rebellions and conflict zones has proven to be increasingly dangerous, as governments resort to charges of sedition and “endangering national security” to intimidate independent and opposition media. Challenging or criticizing the president, government members and the army also lands many African journalists in prison. Elections have exacerbated tensions and made accurate and timely reporting even more difficult and risky.
- Freedom of the press continues to be challenged in various parts of Europe and Central Asia, both in subtle and blatant manners. Death threats or prosecution remain disturbingly common for reporting on a variety of issues: conflicts, war crimes, organised crime or even for mocking state officials, national or religious symbols.
- Throughout Asia, independent media continue to face an array of obstacles, mainly from hostile governments and internal conflicts. In Afghanistan and Pakistan, journalists continue their struggle for the right to freedom of expression. Dictatorships in Burma, North Korea and Laos allow no independent media to operate within their borders.
Twenty-eight journalists have been killed since November 2007. Iraq remains the most deadly country, with nine killed. For a breakdown of the report's findings, region-by-region, click here .
Note: The bulk of this report is taken from a WAN news release. Paris-based WAN, is the global organisation for the newspaper industry, defends and promotes press freedom and the professional and business interests of newspapers world-wide. Representing 18,000 newspapers, its membership includes 77 national newspaper associations, newspaper companies and individual newspaper executives in 102 countries, 12 news agencies and 11 regional and world-wide press groups.
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