– Journalism is threatened by propaganda and increasingly sophisticated forgeries, concludes Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in connection with its annual index on press freedom. It was published on Wednesday, which is also World Press Freedom Day. Norway is once again at the top of the index. This means that, according to RSF, Norwegian media enjoy the best press freedom in the world. But in 70 per cent of the 180 countries included in the index, the quality of journalism is considered to be “bad”. It is only “good” in eight countries. At the very bottom is North Korea. Top ten: Best and worst for press freedom 1. Norway2. Ireland3. Denmark4. Sweden5. Finland6. The Netherlands7. Lithuania8. Estonia9. Portugal10. East Timor–171: Bahrain172. Cuba173. Myanmar174. Eritrea175. Syria176. Turkmenistan177. Iran178. Vietnam179. China180. North Korea (Source: Reporters Without Borders Index on Press Freedom 2023) Welcomes Russian journalists The fact that the world’s journalism is under pressure is also felt in Norway. That in the form of journalists from other countries being forced to flee here to do their job. In Kirkenes, the online newspaper The Barents Observer has welcomed three Russian exile journalists in the past year. The plan is to employ two more. – If we succeed, we will build Kirkenes to become a very important base for free Russian journalism, says editor Thomas Nilsen. He refers to how the capitals of Latvia and Lithuania have become important bases for Russian journalists in exile. Russia has fallen to 164th place on the RSF index. Free and independent In the Norwegian border town, Denis Zagore and Georgii Chentemirov now produce free and independent journalism about their homeland. The two were hired last year. Afterwards, Chentemirov was labeled a “foreign agent” by the Russian authorities. – I feel freedom and am not afraid. I also don’t expect someone to knock on my door and order me to prison, Zagore told news last autumn. From a room in Kirkenes, Denis Zagore relays Russian news for a podcast. Photo: Kristin Humstad / news The Barents Observer is, however, banned in Russia. Nettavisa must therefore use various methods to circumvent the censorship if they are to reach Russian readers. Editor Thomas Nilsen is currently traveling in the Baltics. There he meets Russian journalists in exile. He says it is difficult for journalists to report on matters happening inside Russia, because the authorities threaten people with 15 years in prison by giving them information. Also if you refer to the country’s attack on Ukraine as war, or criticize the warfare in any way. Almost 60 killed According to RSF, 55 journalists and four media workers were killed at work last year. In terms of grim statistics, most journalists were killed in Mexico last year (11). Ukraine ended up in the last place (8). – Freedom of the press is under attack in all corners of the world, said UN chief António Guterres in a speech on Tuesday. He condemns attacks on journalists and the spread of fake news. – All our freedom depends on freedom of the press. It is the basis of democracy and justice, and it is the lifeblood of human rights, he said. In a speech on Tuesday, UN chief António Guterres lamented that large parts of the media industry rest in the hands of a few very powerful actors, and that this has led to a collapse of the free press. Photo: AFP Fake news This year, RSF has extra focus on disinformation, which floods credible news. – We are becoming increasingly unable to perceive the differences between the real and the artificial, the true and the false, says RSF Secretary General Christophe Deloire. The UN chief is also worried about this development. – The truth is threatened by disinformation and hate speech and attempts to remove the distinction between fact and fiction, between science and conspiracy.
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Will create a Russian journalist base in a Norwegian city – news Troms and Finnmark
