"Primary vaccine against disinformation," journalism is currently hampered in more than 130 countries, warns Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in its annual report, with the pandemic negatively affecting access to news.
73% of the 180 countries evaluated by the NGO are characterized by situations considered "very serious", "difficult" or "problematic" for the profession. If this share of territories painted in black, red or orange on the world map remains stable compared to last year, only 12 countries out of 180, or 7%, compared to 8% in 2020, show a "good situation". A 'white zone' that "has never" been so restricted since 2013 ", according to RSF.
The pandemic seems to have exacerbated the repression in the most 'gagged' countries such as Saudi Arabia (in 170 / o place) or Syria (173 / a), according to the NGO, and has "caused an enormous blockade of accesses" to sources for journalists, "only partially justified by health precautions".
The most 'virtuous' remains Norway, which maintains first place for the fifth consecutive year ahead of Finland and Sweden, which returned third to the detriment of Denmark (4 / a, -1). Germany leaves the 'white zone' (13 / a, -2) "because dozens of journalists were attacked by demonstrators close to extremist and conspiratorial movements during demonstrations against anti Covid restrictions".
Europe remains the safest region, but according to RSF, aggressions and abusive arrests have multiplied, especially in France (34 / a) during demonstrations against the "global security" bill.
Italy is confirmed in 41 / o place. Across the Atlantic, the situation remains "pretty good" in the United States (44 / y, +1) "even though Donald Trump's last year in office was characterized by a record number of attacks (almost 400 ) and arrests of journalists (130) The "red zone" welcomes Brazil, "where President Bolsonaro has made the mockery of journalists his hallmark" and there remains Russia (150 / a, -1) which has taken action to "limit coverage" of the "demonstrations by Alexeï Navalny supporters." Finally, while Africa remains the "most violent" continent for journalists, Africa has registered some improvement in Burundi (147 / o, +13), Sierra Leone (75 / o, +10) and Mali (99 / o, +9).
