Global Press Freedom Suffers Sharpest Fall in 50 Years, Report Finds
A landmark report by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) has revealed that press freedom around the world has suffered its sharpest decline in 50 years. According to the survey of democratic markers, democracy has declined in 94 countries over the last five years, while only a third have made progress.
The report's findings were announced at a press conference in Stockholm, where IDEA's secretary-general, Kevin Casas-Zamora, expressed concern about the state of global democracy. "Democracy faces a perfect storm of autocratic resurgence and acute uncertainty, due to massive social and economic changes," he said. "To fight back, democracies need to protect key elements of democracy, like elections and an independent judiciary."
The report highlights the growing trend of authoritarianism, with many countries experiencing a decline in democratic institutions and practices. In some cases, this has led to the suppression of free speech and the persecution of journalists. For example, in Colombia, journalists demonstrated outside the EFE news agency offices in Bogotá earlier this month to denounce the killing of journalists in Gaza.
The report's findings have been met with concern from human rights organizations and media watchdogs around the world. "This is a wake-up call for governments and international institutions," said Maria Ressa, founder of Rappler, a news organization based in the Philippines. "We need to take action to protect press freedom and promote democratic values."
The decline of democracy has been attributed to various factors, including rising nationalism, corruption, and social media manipulation. In some countries, populist leaders have come to power, often with authoritarian tendencies. The United States, for example, has been criticized for its handling of the presidency under Donald Trump, who was accused of undermining democratic institutions.
The report's findings are based on a survey of 165 countries, which assessed democratic performance across various indicators, including electoral processes, civil liberties, and media freedom. The results show that only 34 countries have made progress in promoting democracy over the last five years.
As the world grapples with the implications of these findings, IDEA is calling for urgent action to protect democratic institutions and promote press freedom. "We need a global effort to defend democracy and human rights," said Casas-Zamora. "This requires governments, civil society, and international organizations working together to address the challenges facing our democracies."
The report's release comes at a critical time, as many countries are preparing for elections or have recently held them. The findings serve as a reminder of the importance of protecting democratic institutions and promoting press freedom in order to ensure that citizens have access to accurate information and can hold their leaders accountable.
In related news, the United Nations has announced plans to launch an initiative aimed at promoting press freedom and defending journalists worldwide. The initiative is expected to be launched later this year and will bring together governments, international organizations, and civil society groups to address the challenges facing journalism and democracy.
As the world continues to grapple with the implications of these findings, one thing is clear: the decline of democracy and press freedom has far-reaching consequences for global stability and human rights.
*Reporting by Theguardian.*
