What would happen without the freedom of the press?

“Press Freedom” words that are valuable and important to many individuals. The first and most important role of the media, as we all know, is to report on events, providing the public with ‘eyes and ears’ to monitor the operations of the state, including economic matters, as well as the spectrum of social issues such as those involving the arts, entertainment, and sports. Another essential role of the press is to provide checks and balances along with support for democracy by acting as “watchdogs,” monitoring the operations of the public and corporate sectors that affect citizens both directly and indirectly. The media must be on the same side as the people, keep a watch on the state’s budget usage, demand transparency, and monitor the state’s use of violence in conformity with human rights principles. But what would happen if the press was deprived of its freedom?

World Press Freedom Day

Every year on May 3, there is a celebration known as World Press Freedom Day to highlight the value of press freedom. It also serves as a reminder to the administration to protect journalistic freedom and free speech. The 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day is being celebrated this year.

Trace back to 1991, there is a rising number of assaults on journalists and media organizations worldwide. Censorship, threats, or even violent attacks are difficulties that many media professionals confront on the job. Therefore, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) declared World Press Freedom Day to preserve the right to free speech while ensuring the safety of journalists and other media professionals.

World Press Freedom Index 2023

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) compiles and publishes the World Press Freedom Index (WPFI), an annual ranking of nations based on the organization’s evaluation of each nation’s press freedom records, which includes factors like censorship, media independence, and the safety of journalists. 

The top three countries in 2023 are Norway, Ireland, and Denmark, with the first scoring over 90 points. At the bottom of the list were North Korea, China, and Vietnam. The simplest area for journalists to work is Europe, but even there, the situation is complicated. Germany, which was ranked 21st, dropped five spots despite having a record number of reported incidents of violence against journalists and arrests. Greece (107th), which continues to have the lowest ranking in the EU, was used to spy on journalists by the intelligence services and by potent malware.

Press Freedom in Thailand

My home country, Thailand, ranked 106th this year, which has increased from 2022 by nine places. However, back in 2004, during the period of “Thaksin Shinawatra” as prime minister, Thailand’s press freedom was placed 59th out of 167 countries and territories. At this point, you may be wondering why Thailand’s ranking has dropped so drastically. 

In 2014, the armed forces took control of national governance, executing a coup against the caretaker government. They are attempting to control the media more aggressively, whether by a declaration utilizing the law to control or by organizing a group of individuals into various committees in control of the media. The Covid-19 incident is a prime illustration of the government’s media dominance. Following the incident, media reports undermined government stability since what the media broadcasts were facts that highlighted the inefficiencies of the government’s management.

The media plays a key role in democratic societies in distributing information to the populace. Most significantly, the foundation of a strong democracy is the ability of its citizens to freely share, broadcast, present, and discuss news, ideas, suggestions, and political viewpoints. Hence, it is vital to protect the press’s freedom to disseminate factual information without fear of government interference.