May 3, Pozirk. Belarus ranks 167th of 180 assessed countries and territories in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, compiled by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
The ranking placed Belarus between Saudi Arabia and Cuba, reflecting worsening conditions for journalists in the country which fell 10 places from the last year.
“Censorship of media outlets falsely accused of undermining national security or terrorism” is widespread both in Belarus and Russia ranking 162nd, the RSF noted.
The world’s 10 best countries for press freedom are Norway, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Estonia, Portugal, Ireland, Switzerland and Germany.
Egypt, Myanmar, China, Bahrain, Vietnam, Turkmenistan, Iran, North Korea, Afghanistan, Syria and Eritrea conclude the ranking with the worst press freedom score.
On May 3, World Press Freedom Day, at least 43 media workers were behind bars in Belarus, according to the RSF.
The Belarusian authorities have changed laws to give a legal veneer to attacks on press freedom. The justice system, under complete government control, has begun equating independent journalism with extremism, which is punishable by up to seven years in prison. Most independent media outlets and the BAJ have been officially declared extremist.
