Freedom in Mass Media

Pressure on the media and freedom in press is increasing around the world, including in
democratic countries.

As experts note, the level of mass media freedom is decreasing around the world. In both
authoritarian and democratic countries, there is an increase in threats to journalists and
political pressure on the media and other democratic institutions.

According to a 2018 study by the NGO Freedom House on "Freedom of the Press in the
World," only 13 percent of the population live in countries where people have access to free
media that do not feel political and economic pressure, and where journalists can report
independently without fear for their lives.

The leader in the level of freedom in mass media is Norway, followed by other Scandinavian
and Western European countries. At the same time, in Central and Eastern European
countries, especially Hungary and Poland, the situation with press freedom is no longer so
good. The countries and regions with the lowest level of freedom of speech include North
Korea, Syria, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Russia, as well as the Crimean
peninsula annexed by Russia.

The World Press Freedom Index

WHAT IS IT?
Published every year since 2002 by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the World Press
Freedom Index is an important advocacy tool based on the principle of emulation
between states. Because it is well known, its influence over governments is growing. Many
heads of state and government fear its annual publication. The Index is a point of reference
that is quoted by media throughout the world and is used by diplomats and international
entities such as the United Nations and the World Bank.

WHAT DOES IT MEASURE?

The Index ranks 180 countries and regions according to the level of freedom available
to journalists. It is a snapshot of the media freedom situation based on an evaluation of
pluralism, independence of the media, quality of legislative framework and safety of
journalists in each country and region. It does not rank public policies even if governments
obviously have a major impact on their country’s ranking. Nor is it an indicator of the
quality of journalism in each country or region.
According to the World Press Media Index Czech republic is at the 40th place out of 179, so
it could be considered as free environment for journalists, and Russia is at the 149th place,
and it's hard to call it a country with a freedom of speech.

Media freedom in Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is a parliamentary democracy in which political rights and civil liberties
are generally respected. However, in recent years, the country has experienced a number of
corruption scandals and political disputes that have hampered normal legislative activity.
Illiberal rhetoric and the influence of powerful business entities in the political arena are
increasingly visible.

Media freedom in Russia

Power in Russia’s authoritarian political system is concentrated in the hands of
President Vladimir Putin. With loyalist security forces, a subservient judiciary, a
controlled media environment, and a legislature consisting of a ruling party and
pliable opposition factions, the Kremlin is able to manipulate elections and suppress
genuine dissent. Rampant corruption facilitates shifting links among bureaucrats and
organized crime groups.

So are there free and independent media?

CZ: The media operate relatively freely, and the government does not place undue
restrictions on content. Legislation protects private ownership of media outlets, but
concerns remain about the extent to which the media is controlled by wealthy
business figures and its potential impact on journalists’ ability to investigate
commercial interests.

RU: Although the constitution provides for freedom of speech, vague laws on
extremism grant the authorities great discretion to crack down on any speech,
organization, or activity that lacks official support. The government controls, directly
or through state-owned companies and friendly business magnates, all of the national
television networks and many radio and print outlets, as well as most of the media
advertising market. A handful of independent outlets still operate, most of them online
and some headquartered abroad. Television remains the most popular source of
news, but its influence is declining, particularly among young people who rely more
on social networks.
Freedom of expression and information will always be the world’s most important freedom. If
journalists were not free to report the facts, denounce abuses, and alert the public, how
would we resist the problem of children-soldiers, defend women’s rights, or preserve our
environment?