In total, 73% of the 180 countries assessed each year by the NGO are characterized by situations deemed "very serious", "difficult", or "problematic" concerning the freedom of journalists to work.

While this proportion remains the same as last year, the number of countries (28) where the situation is "very serious" has reached a record high, while only 8 countries are in a "good situation", compared to 12 last year.

RSF notes a "polarization on two levels", between and within countries, fueled by "the rise of disinformation circuits" in democratic societies and by "media control" in authoritarian regimes.

"The creation of a media arsenal in certain authoritarian regimes deprives citizens of their right to information but also contributes to the rise of international tensions that can lead to the worst wars", notes in a press release the secretary general of RSF, Christophe Deloire. .

According to the NGO, the Russian invasion of Ukraine illustrates this polarization, a "propaganda war" having preceded the sending of troops from Moscow (ranked 155th) on Ukrainian territory.

Similarly, China (175th) "uses its legislative arsenal to confine its population and cut it off from the rest of the world, in particular in Hong Kong", which fell from 80th place to 148th in the ranking after the authoritarian takeover. by Beijing.

"This is the biggest drop (in the rankings) of the year, but it is fully deserved due to the constant attacks on press freedom and the gradual disappearance of the rule of law in Hong Kong. Kong", reacted to AFP Cedric Alviani, head of RSF for East Asia.

Freedom of the press around the world Valentin RAKOVSKY AFP

The National Security Law, enacted in June 2020 after a wave of protests for freedoms in Hong Kong, "has been massively used against journalists, against journalism and press freedom in Hong Kong", he said. he added, citing media closures and the imprisonment of press freedom advocates.

"Fox News-ization"

Within democratic states, "the Fox News-ization of the media poses a fatal risk because it endangers the foundations of a harmonious society and tolerant public debate", adds Christophe Deloire.

Democratic societies are dividing due to the rise of opinion media "following the model of Fox News", the favorite channel of American conservatives, and "the extent of disinformation circuits, amplified by the way social networks operate ".

RSF Secretary General Christophe Deloire in October 2020 in Paris STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN AFP

This internal polarization has increased social and political tensions in the United States (42nd), notes RSF, and in France (26th), which nevertheless rose eight places in the ranking compared to 2021.

At the bottom of the rankings are still China, ahead of Burma, Turkmenistan, Iran, Eritrea and North Korea.

At the top of the table, Norway retains its first place for the sixth consecutive year, ahead of Denmark and Sweden.

RSF also highlights the hopes brought by changes of government in Moldova (40th) and Bulgaria (91st).

RSF used a new method to produce its ranking, based on five indicators (political context, legislative framework, economic context, socio-cultural context and security).

© 2022 AFP