(RSF/IFEX) – The following is an RSF press release: World political tensions eroded press freedom in 2002 Physical attacks on journalists continued Fight against “terrorists” endangered the media In 2002: – 25 journalists were killed – at least 692 were arrested – at least 1,420 were physically attacked or threatened – at least 389 media […]
(RSF/IFEX) – The following is an RSF press release:
World political tensions eroded press freedom in 2002
Physical attacks on journalists continued
Fight against “terrorists” endangered the media
In 2002:
– 25 journalists were killed
– at least 692 were arrested
– at least 1,420 were physically attacked or threatened
– at least 389 media outlets were censored
On 1 January 2003, 118 journalists were in prison around the world.
Overall trends
The number of arrests, physical attacks and threats against journalists soared last year, even though fewer were killed and the number of censorship cases increased only slightly. Arrests (692) went up by more than 40 per cent and twice as many journalists (1,420) were attacked or threatened. More and more journalists are being thrown in prison there are now 118. If media assistants (3) and cyber-dissidents (at least 42) are added, the figure comes to 163 people jailed for trying to inform the public.
Every day last year, as in 2001, a media outlet was censored somewhere in the world, nearly a third of whose people live in countries where no press freedom exists. In many other countries such as Bangladesh, Eritrea, Haiti, Nepal and Zimbabwe the situation continues to get worse. As Reporters Without Borders noted in 2001, those who murder or physically attack journalists continue to get away with their crimes and this gives rise to further violence against the media.
Peace agreements and political reforms last year in Angola, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka noticeably increased press freedom. But Reporters Without Borders recorded a decline in democracies such as Italy and the United States, where some journalists went to jail.
RSF’s full annual roundup is available on www.rsf.org.
