Reporters Without Borders Adds Trump to 'Enemies of Press Freedom' List
Translated & summarized from Arab48 by baba
Reporters Without Borders has added U.S. President Donald Trump to its list of "enemies of press freedom," citing his actions against critical media. The list, which includes 33 individuals and entities, also features Egyptian President el-Sisi, the Israeli military, and tech giants Alphabet and Meta. RSF stated Trump's inclusion alongside leaders like Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin is a significant development. The organization aims to expose those restricting press freedom, publishing the list irregularly since 2001.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Reporters Without Borders added U.S. President Donald Trump to its "enemies of press freedom" list.
- The list includes 33 individuals and entities, such as Egyptian President el-Sisi and the Israeli military.
- RSF cited Trump's deliberate use of presidential powers against media outlets he dislikes.
- Tech companies Alphabet and Meta were named for economic pressure on media through advertising revenue.
- The list aims to highlight those imposing severe restrictions on press freedom globally.
- The U.S. is ranked 64th out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has placed U.S. President Donald Trump on its list of "enemies of press freedom," a first for an American president. The organization accused Trump of intensifying his actions against media outlets he dislikes and obstructing their work since the beginning of his term. The new list includes a total of 33 individuals and entities that RSF believes are deliberately undermining independent journalism. The list was published on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, November 2nd.
RSF Managing Director Christian Mihr stated that Trump was included because he "deliberately uses the powers of his office against media outlets whose journalistic coverage he dislikes." Mihr noted that the inclusion of a U.S. president on such a list, alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, marks a turning point. According to RSF data, the United States is currently ranked 64th out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index.
In addition to Trump, Egyptian President el-Sisi was also added to the negative list for the first time. RSF accuses him of shutting down independent media and imprisoning journalists. The list also includes the Israeli military, the Chinese Communist Party, and Mexican criminal organizations. American tech companies Alphabet and Meta were also named, with RSF citing their economic pressure on media outlets through their large share of digital advertising revenue.
French media businessman Vincent Bolloré and American billionaire Elon Musk are also on the list. RSF aims to highlight individuals and organizations imposing severe restrictions on press freedom. The organization clarified that the selection is not exhaustive and focuses on direct perpetrators of press freedom violations and their methods, distinct from its annual World Press Freedom Index which assesses media freedom conditions in countries. RSF has been publishing this list irregularly since 2001.