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Eritrea tops list of world's worst press censors Eritrea tops list of world's worst press censors
(40 minutes later)
The Horn of Africa nation Eritrea leads the world in imposing censorship on the media, followed closely by North Korea, Syria and Iran, according to a journalism group. Eritrea leads the world in imposing censorship on the media, followed closely by North Korea, Syria and Iran, according to a journalism group.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said in a report on Wednesday that 10 countries stand out as censors for barring international media, putting "dictatorial controls" on domestic media and imposing other restrictions. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said in a report on Wednesday that 10 countries stood out as censors for barring international media, putting "dictatorial controls" on domestic media and imposing other restrictions.
The other countries on the list are Equatorial Guinea, Uzbekistan, Burma, Saudi Arabia, Cuba and Belarus.The other countries on the list are Equatorial Guinea, Uzbekistan, Burma, Saudi Arabia, Cuba and Belarus.
The report by the committee, based in New York, was released to mark World Press Freedom Day on Thursday.The report by the committee, based in New York, was released to mark World Press Freedom Day on Thursday.
Many of the countries on this year's list also were on the committee's last list, published in 2006.Many of the countries on this year's list also were on the committee's last list, published in 2006.
"In the name of stability or development, these regimes suppress independent reporting, amplify propaganda and use technology to control rather than empower their own citizens," said Joel Simon, the CPJ's executive director."In the name of stability or development, these regimes suppress independent reporting, amplify propaganda and use technology to control rather than empower their own citizens," said Joel Simon, the CPJ's executive director.
"Journalists are seen as a threat and often pay a high price for their reporting," he added. "But because the internet and trade have made information global, domestic censorship affects people everywhere.""Journalists are seen as a threat and often pay a high price for their reporting," he added. "But because the internet and trade have made information global, domestic censorship affects people everywhere."
In making its list, the CPJ said its staff evaluated the countries on 15 benchmarks. They include blocking of websites, restrictions on electronic recording, absence of privately owned or independent media, and restrictions on journalists' movements.In making its list, the CPJ said its staff evaluated the countries on 15 benchmarks. They include blocking of websites, restrictions on electronic recording, absence of privately owned or independent media, and restrictions on journalists' movements.
The report said of Eritrea, which is run with an iron hand by President Isaias Afewerki, that "no foreign reporters are granted access ... and all domestic media are controlled by the government."The report said of Eritrea, which is run with an iron hand by President Isaias Afewerki, that "no foreign reporters are granted access ... and all domestic media are controlled by the government."
It said that North Korea, Syria and Iran were "three nations where vast restrictions on information have enormous implications for geopolitical and nuclear stability". It said North Korea, Syria and Iran were "three nations where vast restrictions on information have enormous implications for geopolitical and nuclear stability".
North Korea has tested nuclear weapons, Iran is believed to be working to develop them and Syria reportedly has had nuclear ambitions.North Korea has tested nuclear weapons, Iran is believed to be working to develop them and Syria reportedly has had nuclear ambitions.
North Korea, which topped the 2006 list, "remains an extraordinarily secretive place," the report said. It noted, though, that there have been "some tiny cracks" in its censorship, including the opening of an Associated Press bureau in the capital this year. North Korea, which topped the 2006 list, "remains an extraordinarily secretive place", the report said. It noted, though, that there had been "some tiny cracks" in its censorship, including the opening of an Associated Press bureau in the capital this year.
It said censorship "has intensified significantly in Syria and Iran in response to political unrest". Syria has banned foreign reporters from the country and limited local reporters from moving freely as it uses its military and police to put down a civilian uprising. Iran, meanwhile, has blocked websites and imprisoned journalists to limit publication and broadcast of information, the report said. It said censorship had "intensified significantly in Syria and Iran in response to political unrest". Syria has banned foreign reporters from the country and limited local reporters from moving freely as it uses its military and police to put down a civilian uprising. Iran, meanwhile, has blocked websites and imprisoned journalists to limit publication and broadcast of information, the report said.
The report gave these reasons for including the other nations: The report gave these reasons for including the other countries:
• Equatorial Guinea, where all media are directly or indirectly controlled by the president. • In Equatorial Guinea, all media are directly or indirectly controlled by the president.
• Uzbekistan, where "there is no independent press and journalists contributing to foreign outlets are subject to harassment and prosecution". • Uzbekistan has "no independent press and journalists contributing to foreign outlets are subject to harassment and prosecution".
• Burma, where reforms "have not extended" to rigid censorship laws. • In Burma, reforms "have not extended" to rigid censorship laws.
• Saudi Arabia, which "has tightened restrictions in response to political unrest". • Saudi Arabia "has tightened restrictions in response to political unrest".
• Cuba, where the Communist party controls all domestic media. • In Cuba, the Communist party controls all domestic media.
• Belarus, where recent crackdowns have sent "remnants of independent media underground". • In Belarus, recent crackdowns have sent "remnants of independent media underground".
In 2006, the top 10 censored countries were North Korea, Burma, Turkmenistan, Equatorial Guinea, Libya, Eritrea, Cuba, Uzbekistan, Syria, and Belarus. In 2006, the top 10 censored countries were North Korea, Burma, Turkmenistan, Equatorial Guinea, Libya, Eritrea, Cuba, Uzbekistan, Syria and Belarus.