The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, has urged for the safeguarding of journalists globally, citing the increasing hurdles faced by media practitioners. Thomas-Greenfield voiced concerns over the intimidation and harassment encountered by journalists worldwide, which impedes their ability to deliver reliable and independent news to the public.
Addressing an event in New York focused on press freedoms, Thomas-Greenfield highlighted that governments across the globe are progressively curtailing media autonomy and press freedom. The recent release of the press freedom index by Reporters Without Borders, an organization advocating for press freedom, indicates a troubling trend. The index reveals a record number of journalists being detained worldwide, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.
Thomas-Greenfield strongly denounced the violent attacks and wrongful detentions of journalists, stressing the significance of their role in truth-telling. She referenced the case of Gershkovich, who was detained by Russia's Federal Security Service during a reporting trip in March 2023 on allegations of espionage—a claim vehemently denied by Gershkovich, the Journal, and the U.S. government.
Anne Bocandé, editorial director of Reporters Without Borders, expressed worry over the diminishing role of states in safeguarding press freedom. She noted that this disempowerment often leads to hostile actions against journalists, undermining their crucial societal role.
President Biden has announced intentions to take executive action against nations that abuse journalists, including authorizing sanctions and visa bans. Biden emphasized that journalism should not be criminalized anywhere globally.
The challenges faced by journalists extend beyond physical attacks to include media censorship, particularly in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Countries like Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan have mirrored Russia's crackdown on independent media. The influence of the Kremlin has even reached Serbia, where pro-government media propagate Russian propaganda.
The detention of Evan Gershkovich underscores the increasing hostility toward independent journalism globally. The U.S. State Department and President Biden have called for Gershkovich's release, declaring him wrongfully detained and emphasizing his role as a journalist, not a spy.
Gershkovich's case has prompted a wave of support, with over 230 deans, leaders, and faculty from 50 journalism schools across the U.S. demanding his release. This solidarity highlights the importance of press freedom and the role of journalists in society.
Despite these challenges, Reporters Without Borders' press freedom index shows some countries, such as Norway, Denmark, and Sweden, maintaining strong press freedom. However, nations like Afghanistan, Syria, and Eritrea continue to rank poorly. The U.S. ranks 55th on the index, reflecting ongoing challenges to press freedom within the country.