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Ghana overtakes France in press freedom
By Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh, Ghanadot
The new international press freedom index, from Reporters
Without Borders (RSF), confirms a sound democratic well being
among a group of African countries. This is against a backdrop
of many European democracies that, by virtue of this index, are
losing their grip on press freedom, one of the premier pillars
of the principle of democracy.
France finds itself in the 43rd position this year, behind Ghana
and three other young African democracies. Despite this
encouraging data among African countries, the general situation
of press freedom on the continent is still far from impressive.
Is France still a model of press freedom? Not so sure, judging
from the new press freedom index released by Reporters Without
Borders (RSF) last Tuesday. France, a historical force to reckon
with is — as far as human rights is concerned — 43rd in the
standings, just ahead of Cape Verde (44th) and far behind
budding African democracies including Ghana, Mali, South Africa
and Namibia, in 27th , 30th, 33rd and 35th positions
respectively. According to RSP, these countries are among some
of the most respectful of press freedom, worldwide. RSF insists
that democracy is built on solid foundations and that freedom is
guaranteed in the 5 African countries that appear among the top
50 on their index.
Continuing its progressive slump from 2002, when the first RSF
index on press freedom was released, France lost 8 points this
year after an equally unimpressive 2008 rankings. In 2002,
France was number 11. Since then, Journalists have found
themselves “summoned by the police" while been "forced to reveal
their sources,” regrets Jean-Francois Julliard, Secretary
General of RSF. "The interference of political authorities,
including the Head of State, Nicolas Sarkozy” is also pinned in
the RSF report.
Although significant progress has been made in recent years in
Africa (at the expense of several traditionally democratic
European nations like France, Italy or Spain), the overall state
of freedom of press is still worrying on the continent.
Madagascar, which was the scene of a violent political upheaval
this year, lost 40 points, as it nosedived into the 134th
position. The Congo, where the opposition journalist Bruno
Jacquet Ossébi died under murky circumstances, also falls 24
points to 116th position.
Guinea, where a demonstration was violently suppressed last
September 28, remains at the 100th place. Niger, recently
suspended from the Economic Community of African States (ECOWAS)
following highly contested legislative elections declined 9
points, setting camp at a dismal 139th position. Surprisingly,
Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe (136th), following the renowned
journalist, Jestina Mukoko’s kidnapping and eventual
imprisonment, gains 15 points! RSF indicates that, an
announcement by the government of national unity, this summer,
to return the BBC, CNN and the Independent daily newspaper, The
Daily News (...) has brought some hope. Mauritania, where
General Ould Abdel Aziz’s election went smoothly in July 2009,
has assembled a few points. Not surprisingly, Sudan (148th),
Rwanda (157th), Equatorial Guinea (158th), Somalia (164th) and
Eritrea (175th), fought for bottom spots.
North Africa falls
North Africa has seen a marked decline in press freedom in
recent years and is hardly better off. Algeria lost 20 points in
one year, sporting the 141st place. Morocco descended to 127th
position, down five points. It must be noted that this year, the
northern African kingdom banned and seized newspapers while
slapping media houses and journalists with lawsuits. Tunisia,
where President Ben Ali has won a 5th consecutive term, got the
prize of the worst country for press freedom in North Africa.
The 2009 international press freedom index, was put together by
RSF, between September 1 2008 and 1 September 2009. Data
collection involved a questionnaire, which identified some 40
points, ranging from attacks against journalists (murders,
imprisonment, assault, threats, disappearances, monitoring,
etc..) to various forms of pressure that may be exerted on the
Media (fines, censures, seizures, searches, advertising
boycotts, etc..).
Ghanadot
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