Israel Plummets in Press Freedom Index, Ranks Below Lebanon
Translated & summarized from Calcalist by baba
Israel has fallen to 116th place out of 180 countries in Reporters Without Borders' annual press freedom index, ranking below Lebanon. The organization cited increasing restrictions on press freedom, media pluralism, and systemic independence since October 7th, along with disinformation campaigns and oppressive laws. Globally, the index shows a significant decline in press freedom, with the lowest average score in 25 years.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israel dropped to 116th place in the 2024 press freedom index, below Lebanon.
- Reporters Without Borders cited post-October 7th restrictions and disinformation for the decline.
- Norway ranked first for the fifth consecutive year with a score of 92.72.
- Globally, press freedom has declined, with over half of countries in the worst categories.
- The global average press freedom score is the lowest in 25 years.
Israel has dropped four places in the annual press freedom index compiled by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), now ranking 116th out of 180 countries, one position below Lebanon. The index, published since 2001, aims to assess the level of freedom for journalists and media in countries worldwide. RSF defines press freedom as the ability of journalists, individually and collectively, to choose, produce, and disseminate news in the public interest, independent of political, economic, legal, and social establishments, and without physical or mental threats.
Israel received a score of 46, placing it in the second-worst category for press freedom. This represents a significant decline from 2022, when Israel was ranked 86th, and a further drop from 97th in 2023, which the organization attributed to the country's judicial overhaul. RSF noted that press freedom, media pluralism, and systemic independence have become increasingly restricted in Israel since October 7th. The organization also pointed to campaigns of disinformation and the increasing prevalence of oppressive laws and growing pressure on journalists.
Norway secured the top spot for the fifth consecutive year with a score of 92.72, followed by the Netherlands and Estonia. European countries dominate the top of the rankings, with Canada at 20th being the first non-European nation. Eritrea ranked last at 180th, preceded by North Korea, China, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. The United States fell seven places to 60th.
Conversely, Syria saw the largest jump, rising 36 places. Fiji climbed 16 places to 24th, and South Korea rose 14 places to 47th. The Palestinian Authority ranked 156th, up seven places, now ahead of India and the UAE.
Globally, RSF warned of a continuing decline in press freedom, with over half the countries falling into the two worst categories for the first time since the index began. The average score across all 180 countries is the lowest in 25 years. RSF stated that tactics undermining press freedom are evolving, with journalism being stifled by hostile political discourse, weakened by economic conditions, and crushed by laws weaponized against the press. The organization also highlighted how the expansion of restrictive legal arsenals, particularly concerning national security, has continuously eroded the right to information, even in democratic nations.