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African Countries With The Least Freedom of the Press

African Countries With The Least Freedom of the Press

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While many African countries have made strides toward freedom of the press, others remain heavily restricted and are considered wholly unfree by international watchdog organizations such as Freedom House. Despite the fact that many of these countries
did provide for protection for the press in their constitutions, subsequent legislation and absolute rule have undermined these protections.

Freedom House, an independent organization that measures freedom around the globe, uses a variety of factors to rank countries based on their commitment to upholding freedom and democracy. The following African nations were given the poorest scores with regard to freedom of the press on a scale of 0 (the most free) to 100 (the least free). Scores were evaluated in three categories: the legal environment, the political environment, and the economic environment.

Source: FreedomHouse.org

En.Wikipedia.org
En.Wikipedia.org

10. Central African Republic, Score: 77

Even before rebels overthrew President François Bozizé in late 2012, the constitutional provision for freedom of the press had never been upheld in the Central African Republic. Authorities have a history of using intimidation against media outlets, and many are suspended or harassed to curb transparent reporting, particularly on government affairs.

Telegraph.co.uk
Telegraph.co.uk

9. Swaziland, Score: 78

King Mswati III’s absolute monarchy in Swaziland exerts complete control over the media. Members of the media can see their rights suspended at any moment at the monarch’s discretion. Particularly on issues regarding the royal family, little freedom of the press exists in any way, and harsh penalties exist for so-called defamation charges. Furthermore, Swaziland’s Suppression of Terrorism Act allows the government to imprison journalists at will on charges of of inciting violence or terrorism, which most often happens when journalists criticize the government.

24Tanzania.com
24Tanzania.com

8. Rwanda, Score: 79

Despite being provided in the Rwandan constitution, freedom of the press is extremely limited in Rwanda, especially since the passage of a new media law in 2009. The legislation enforces strict regulations on media outlets, including accreditation and licensing procedures, allowing the Rwandan government to restrict who has the ability to disperse information. Journalists can be forced to reveal their sources to the government, and a strict mandate is in place on what can be published, particularly with regard to “ethnic, regional, racial, religious, language, or other divisive characteristics.”

Source: FreedomHouse.org

DailyMail.co.uk
DailyMail.co.uk

7. Democratic Republic of Congo, Score: 79

Journalists in the Democratic Republic of Congo are frequently harassed, restricted, arrested, and even murdered. “Coupage” is also commonplace, or the practice in which journalists are paid to write articles on the behalf of the article’s subject, eliminating press independence. All journalists must be members of a state-controlled union in order to receive payment for their work, and private media outlets are not permitted.

TheGuardian.com
TheGuardian.com

6. Ethiopia, Score: 81

Ethiopia, along with many of its neighbors, uses anti-terrorism rhetoric to stifle freedom of the press. The government keeps strict control over the Internet, blocking many websites and limiting the ability of users to participate in online debate. Ethiopia is one of the most notorious countries for imprisoning journalists. Its criminal code restricts “obscene” communication, criminal defamation, and criticism of public officials.

BBC.co.uk
BBC.co.uk

5. Sudan, Score: 81

Particularly in light of ongoing violence between Sudan and South Sudan, Sudanese officials have kept a strict lid on media outlets within the country in an attempt to curb opposition to the government. The Sudan government has the power to limit the freedom of the press, despite it being provided for in the Sudanese constitution, in order to maintain public order and national security, as well as the ability to shut down outlets without a court order. The absence of a freedom of information law makes it extremely difficult for journalists, as well as the public, to access public information.

En.Wikipedia.org
En.Wikipedia.org

4. Somalia, Score: 82

Though some regions in Somalia have become more free as they grow more autonomous — particularly Puntland in the northeast and Somaliland in the northwest — the majority of the country remains extremely limited when it comes to freedom of the press. In 2012, a record number of journalists was killed in Somalia, and there is no freedom of information law in the country. Despite efforts of some officials to enact media reform, the inability of the Somalian government to exert its authority across the entire country makes imminent reform unlikely.

En.Wikipedia.org
En.Wikipedia.org

3. The Gambia, Score: 83

Constitutional provisions for freedom of the press in the Gambia have been undermined by more recent legislation that slashes protections for journalists and maintains a strict governmental grip on media outlets. Stiff penalties are in place for a variety of offenses, including sedition, libel, and the publication of false information, and journalists are often fined, jailed, and otherwise detained on unclear or false charges. Reports criticize the Gambian government for denying or restricting access to public information.

TheGuardian.com
TheGuardian.com

2. Equatorial Guinea – 90

The Law on the Press, Publishing, and Audiovisual Media is a piece of umbrella legislation that severely limits freedom of press in Equatorial Guinea. All media outlets must be registered with the government, whether or not they are privately owned, and all media coverage is tightly controlled by officials. Equatorial Guinea does not even permit the coverage of international events, unless there is a local official that is involved in some way. The jailing of journalists for government criticism is commonplace, and international journalists are rarely granted access to work in Equatorial Guinea.

News.NationalPost.com
News.NationalPost.com

1. Eritrea – 94

Since private press was banned in Eritrea in 2001, the country has consistently ranked among the worst places for freedom of the press in the world. The country’s Press Proclamation Law ensures that all media outlets and journalists and registered and licensed by the government, and all publications are submitted for prior approval before they are permitted to be released to the public. Dozens of journalists are banned each year with little information available surrounding the circumstances, and many more flee Eritrea in response to the constant intimidation and strict regulations on their work.