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| The 'little presidents' who deny press freedom by attacking journalists | The 'little presidents' who deny press freedom by attacking journalists |
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| Heads of state and government leaders who publicly scorn journalists violate the principle of press freedom, argues the Paris-based organisation Reporters Without Borders (RWB). | Heads of state and government leaders who publicly scorn journalists violate the principle of press freedom, argues the Paris-based organisation Reporters Without Borders (RWB). |
| The press freedom watchdog denounces the “little presidents” who publicly attack journalists and media outlets, arguing that journalists treated in a contemptuous, insulting, defamatory or racist manner are put under “terrible pressure... just for doing their job.” | The press freedom watchdog denounces the “little presidents” who publicly attack journalists and media outlets, arguing that journalists treated in a contemptuous, insulting, defamatory or racist manner are put under “terrible pressure... just for doing their job.” |
| RWB’s secretary-general, Christophe Deloire, says: “A threshold is crossed when a head of state lets loose a stream of verbal abuse against media personnel... | RWB’s secretary-general, Christophe Deloire, says: “A threshold is crossed when a head of state lets loose a stream of verbal abuse against media personnel... |
| “How can journalists function normally if the state that is supposed to guarantee their safety is headed by a person who holds them up to contempt, bullies them and threatens them, opening the way to abuses against the media that go unpunished?” | “How can journalists function normally if the state that is supposed to guarantee their safety is headed by a person who holds them up to contempt, bullies them and threatens them, opening the way to abuses against the media that go unpunished?” |
| A global survey by RWB of instances of presidential attacks on journalists reveals that some political leaders do not tolerate disagreement or debate. Others identify expressions of doubt as forms of sedition or as foreign interference. | A global survey by RWB of instances of presidential attacks on journalists reveals that some political leaders do not tolerate disagreement or debate. Others identify expressions of doubt as forms of sedition or as foreign interference. |
| Some, regarded as repeat offenders, wage campaigns of harassment against the media outlets or journalists they dislike and seek to hold them to account. | Some, regarded as repeat offenders, wage campaigns of harassment against the media outlets or journalists they dislike and seek to hold them to account. |
| Then there are those who need to say nothing because they already preside over effective systems of censorship. | Then there are those who need to say nothing because they already preside over effective systems of censorship. |
| From veiled allusions to open death threats, says the survey, the style varies from country to country but the goal remains the same – to gag information. | From veiled allusions to open death threats, says the survey, the style varies from country to country but the goal remains the same – to gag information. |
| Here are the bones of the RWB survey... | Here are the bones of the RWB survey... |
| Latin America | Latin America |
| Many Latin American presidents do not hesitate to berate the news media and vilify journalism. Some incite hatred and even violence. | Many Latin American presidents do not hesitate to berate the news media and vilify journalism. Some incite hatred and even violence. |
| Rather than respond to media articles, some presidents prefer to accuse journalists of being biased or of plotting against the government. Any criticism of government policy is liable to be branded as an attack on the country. | Rather than respond to media articles, some presidents prefer to accuse journalists of being biased or of plotting against the government. Any criticism of government policy is liable to be branded as an attack on the country. |
| According to the Declaration on principles of freedom of expression by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), presidents are supposed to guarantee the safety of their fellow citizens. | According to the Declaration on principles of freedom of expression by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), presidents are supposed to guarantee the safety of their fellow citizens. |
| Instead, verbal abuse of the media by presidents such as Nicolás Maduro (Venezuela), Rafael Correa (Ecuador) and Juan Orlando Hernández (Honduras) foster a dangerous climate of censorship, self-censorship and impunity for violence against journalists. | Instead, verbal abuse of the media by presidents such as Nicolás Maduro (Venezuela), Rafael Correa (Ecuador) and Juan Orlando Hernández (Honduras) foster a dangerous climate of censorship, self-censorship and impunity for violence against journalists. |
| Eastern Europe and central Asia | Eastern Europe and central Asia |
| Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, smears media critics as “agents of subversion,” “foreign spies” or “terrorists.” These verbal attacks are symptomatic of his authoritarian tendencies. | Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, smears media critics as “agents of subversion,” “foreign spies” or “terrorists.” These verbal attacks are symptomatic of his authoritarian tendencies. |
| Chechen’s president, Ramzan Kadyrov, uses crude language and inappropriate comments in order to help sustain a climate of arbitrary rule and fear that dominates his republic. He posts both praise and blistering attacks on Instagram. | Chechen’s president, Ramzan Kadyrov, uses crude language and inappropriate comments in order to help sustain a climate of arbitrary rule and fear that dominates his republic. He posts both praise and blistering attacks on Instagram. |
| Central Asia’s “eternal despots” - the Turkmen, Uzbek and Kazakh leaders - have suppressed pluralism so effectively that virtually no critical journalists are left. | Central Asia’s “eternal despots” - the Turkmen, Uzbek and Kazakh leaders - have suppressed pluralism so effectively that virtually no critical journalists are left. |
| European Union and Balkans | European Union and Balkans |
| Milorad Dodik, president of the Republika Srpska, the Serbian part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, reacts with hostility to difficult questions from journalists, especially if they are female. | Milorad Dodik, president of the Republika Srpska, the Serbian part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, reacts with hostility to difficult questions from journalists, especially if they are female. |
| He ordered all government departments to cancel subscriptions to the independent daily newspaper Oslobodenje after one of its reporters, a woman, asked him about a relative who had been given a prison sentence and was on the run. | He ordered all government departments to cancel subscriptions to the independent daily newspaper Oslobodenje after one of its reporters, a woman, asked him about a relative who had been given a prison sentence and was on the run. |
| When a woman TV journalist asked him a question, he replied: “You work for 60 Minutes? It’s a really lousy programme, it’s complete crap... I see that you at least are presentable. But you’re not pretty.” | When a woman TV journalist asked him a question, he replied: “You work for 60 Minutes? It’s a really lousy programme, it’s complete crap... I see that you at least are presentable. But you’re not pretty.” |
| Elsewhere in Europe, more and more senior politicians are being aggressive towards journalists. Last year, Hungary’s deputy prime minister, Zsolt Semjén, described investigative journalists as “traitors” and said they were working for a “foreign power.” | Elsewhere in Europe, more and more senior politicians are being aggressive towards journalists. Last year, Hungary’s deputy prime minister, Zsolt Semjén, described investigative journalists as “traitors” and said they were working for a “foreign power.” |
| In France, the leaders of the National Front routinely insult and intimidate journalists, treating them with a hostility that is increasingly seen across the entire French political spectrum. | In France, the leaders of the National Front routinely insult and intimidate journalists, treating them with a hostility that is increasingly seen across the entire French political spectrum. |
| Africa | Africa |
| Africa’s presidents often proclaim their undying attachment to media freedom and democracy, but they treat journalists as spies, terrorists or traitors. | Africa’s presidents often proclaim their undying attachment to media freedom and democracy, but they treat journalists as spies, terrorists or traitors. |
| Reporters are subjected to threats and physical attacks (that are rarely punished) and to judicial harassment designed to discourage them from reporting potentially embarrassing stories. Investigative journalism is too often characterised as being a form of opposition politics. | Reporters are subjected to threats and physical attacks (that are rarely punished) and to judicial harassment designed to discourage them from reporting potentially embarrassing stories. Investigative journalism is too often characterised as being a form of opposition politics. |
| In 2011, Gambia’s president, Yayah Jammeh, said: “Journalists are less than 1% of the population, and if anybody expects me to allow less than 1% of the population to destroy 99% of the population, you are in the wrong place.” | In 2011, Gambia’s president, Yayah Jammeh, said: “Journalists are less than 1% of the population, and if anybody expects me to allow less than 1% of the population to destroy 99% of the population, you are in the wrong place.” |
| Displaying complete contempt for journalists and their “idiotic” questions is Zimbabwe’s president Robert Mugabe’s way of dealing with the media. | Displaying complete contempt for journalists and their “idiotic” questions is Zimbabwe’s president Robert Mugabe’s way of dealing with the media. |
| Mugabe brushed aside a journalist’s questions in April 2014 by saying: “I don’t want to see a white face.” In February 2015, his security detail forced several journalists to delete photos they had taken of the 91-year-old president falling down as he left Harare airport. | Mugabe brushed aside a journalist’s questions in April 2014 by saying: “I don’t want to see a white face.” In February 2015, his security detail forced several journalists to delete photos they had taken of the 91-year-old president falling down as he left Harare airport. |
| Asia | Asia |
| Thailand’s prime minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, was asked at a news conference in March 2015 how the government would deal with journalists who fail to stick to the official line. “We’ll probably just execute them,” he replied. | Thailand’s prime minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, was asked at a news conference in March 2015 how the government would deal with journalists who fail to stick to the official line. “We’ll probably just execute them,” he replied. |
| Since imposing martial law in May 2014, Prayut has gagged reporters, bloggers and news outlets regarded as overly critical of himself or his military government. | Since imposing martial law in May 2014, Prayut has gagged reporters, bloggers and news outlets regarded as overly critical of himself or his military government. |
| He doesn’t think it is the job of reporters to question the government. He said in March that journalists should “play a major role in supporting the government’s affairs, practically creating the understanding of government’s policies to the public.” | He doesn’t think it is the job of reporters to question the government. He said in March that journalists should “play a major role in supporting the government’s affairs, practically creating the understanding of government’s policies to the public.” |
| Vietnamese prime minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s policy towards journalists is to brand them as malevolent enemies and to dismiss revelations about communist party corruption as “despicable stratagems by hostile forces.” | Vietnamese prime minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s policy towards journalists is to brand them as malevolent enemies and to dismiss revelations about communist party corruption as “despicable stratagems by hostile forces.” |
| When Dung threatens outspoken bloggers with “severe punishments,” the deterrent effect is guaranteed because no fewer than 27 citizen-journalists and bloggers are currently detained in Vietnam. | When Dung threatens outspoken bloggers with “severe punishments,” the deterrent effect is guaranteed because no fewer than 27 citizen-journalists and bloggers are currently detained in Vietnam. |
| In 2012 alone, the Vietnamese authorities prosecuted no fewer than 48 bloggers and human rights defenders, sentencing them to a total of 166 years in prison and 63 years of probation. | In 2012 alone, the Vietnamese authorities prosecuted no fewer than 48 bloggers and human rights defenders, sentencing them to a total of 166 years in prison and 63 years of probation. |
| China’s president, Xi Jinping, rarely mentions media freedom. He doesn’t need to because the ruling communist party has ways of exercising control over journalists. | China’s president, Xi Jinping, rarely mentions media freedom. He doesn’t need to because the ruling communist party has ways of exercising control over journalists. |
| According to a survey by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of China, nearly one China-based foreign correspondent in 10 has been threatened with the non-renewal of their visa because of what they have written. | According to a survey by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of China, nearly one China-based foreign correspondent in 10 has been threatened with the non-renewal of their visa because of what they have written. |
| The New York Times has not been able to appoint new China correspondents because the government systematically refuses to give them visas. | The New York Times has not been able to appoint new China correspondents because the government systematically refuses to give them visas. |
| Burma’s president, Thein Sein, said in July 2014 that “if media freedom threatens national security instead of helping the nation, I want to warn all that we will take effective action under existing laws.” | Burma’s president, Thein Sein, said in July 2014 that “if media freedom threatens national security instead of helping the nation, I want to warn all that we will take effective action under existing laws.” |
| That warning was taken seriously because seven journalists have been jailed in Burma since the start of 2014. | That warning was taken seriously because seven journalists have been jailed in Burma since the start of 2014. |
| Malaysia’s prime minister Najib Razak also views journalism through the prism of “national security.” He often uses the Sedition Act to order prosecutions of journalists, bloggers and other critics, including the cartoonist Zunar. | Malaysia’s prime minister Najib Razak also views journalism through the prism of “national security.” He often uses the Sedition Act to order prosecutions of journalists, bloggers and other critics, including the cartoonist Zunar. |
| Najib says he is ready to listen to “constructive criticism” from journalists, but when they reveal abusive government practices, he orders police raids designed to censor and deter media. | Najib says he is ready to listen to “constructive criticism” from journalists, but when they reveal abusive government practices, he orders police raids designed to censor and deter media. |
| Middle East and north Africa | Middle East and north Africa |
| Middle Eastern leaders usually resort to illegal arrests, arbitrary prison sentences, torture and enforced disappearances when expressing their contempt for the media. | Middle Eastern leaders usually resort to illegal arrests, arbitrary prison sentences, torture and enforced disappearances when expressing their contempt for the media. |
| Many journalists have been convicted on such charges as “disseminating false information endangering state security,” “supporting or condoning terrorism” or “disturbing public order.” | Many journalists have been convicted on such charges as “disseminating false information endangering state security,” “supporting or condoning terrorism” or “disturbing public order.” |
| Most of the region’s leaders give few interviews and carefully vet the media that are granted access. One obvious example is Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad, who has been very inaccessible since the start of the crisis in his country, which is the world’s deadliest country for journalists. | Most of the region’s leaders give few interviews and carefully vet the media that are granted access. One obvious example is Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad, who has been very inaccessible since the start of the crisis in his country, which is the world’s deadliest country for journalists. |
| It is also the case with Algeria’s president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who has rarely been exposed to the media since his health deteriorated. | It is also the case with Algeria’s president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who has rarely been exposed to the media since his health deteriorated. |
| Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, has never given an interview or news conference since assuming power in 1989. | |
| In 2000, he described the pro-reform press as “a base of operations by foreign enemies inside our country.” Raids on journalists and media outlets followed. | In 2000, he described the pro-reform press as “a base of operations by foreign enemies inside our country.” Raids on journalists and media outlets followed. |
| At least 300 media outlets have been closed, thousands of news websites have been censored and more than 500 journalists, bloggers and other online information activists have been arbitrarily arrested, tortured and given long jail terms. Many others have fled abroad. | At least 300 media outlets have been closed, thousands of news websites have been censored and more than 500 journalists, bloggers and other online information activists have been arbitrarily arrested, tortured and given long jail terms. Many others have fled abroad. |
| In Egypt, President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi accuses journalists who do not toe the government line of being “terrorists.” | In Egypt, President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi accuses journalists who do not toe the government line of being “terrorists.” |
| And the Gulf monarchies? Their leaders rarely address the national media and do not insult journalists publicly because they are concerned about their international image. | And the Gulf monarchies? Their leaders rarely address the national media and do not insult journalists publicly because they are concerned about their international image. |
| But independent and critical media are rarely tolerated in these countries, where censorship and self-censorship prevail. The only space that may still be found for freedom of expression and information is online. | But independent and critical media are rarely tolerated in these countries, where censorship and self-censorship prevail. The only space that may still be found for freedom of expression and information is online. |
| Source: Reporters without Borders | Source: Reporters without Borders |
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