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RSF’s 2022 World Press Freedom Index: a new era of polarisation

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RSF’s 2022 World Press Freedom Index: a new era of polarisation

The 20th World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reveals a two-fold increase in polarisation amplified by information chaos – that is, media polarisation fuelling divisions within countries, as well as polarisation between countries at the international level.

The 2022 edition of the World Press Freedom Index, which assesses the state of journalism in 180 countries and territories, highlights the disastrous effects of news and information chaos – the effects of a globalised and unregulated online information space that encourages fake news and propaganda. 

Within democratic societies, divisions are growing as a result of the spread of opinion media following  the “Fox News model” and the spread of disinformation circuits that are amplified by the way social media functions. At the international level, democracies are being weakened by the asymmetry between open societies and despotic regimes that control their media and online platforms while waging propaganda wars against democracies. Polarisation on these two levels is fuelling increased tension.

The invasion of Ukraine (106th) by Russia (155th) at the end of February reflects this process, as the physical conflict was preceded by a propaganda war. China (175th), one of the world’s most repressive autocratic regimes, uses its legislative arsenal to confine its population and cut it off from the rest of the world, especially the population of Hong Kong (148th), which has plummeted in the Index. Confrontation between “blocs” is growing, as seen between nationalist Narendra Modi’s India (150th) and Pakistan (157th). The lack of press freedom in the Middle East continues to impact the conflict between Israel (86th), Palestine (170th) and the Arab states.

Media polarisation is feeding and reinforcing internal social divisions in democratic societies such as the United States (42nd), despite president Joe Biden’s election. The increase in social and political tension is being fuelled by social media and new opinion media, especially in France (26th). The suppression of independent media is contributing to a sharp polarisation in “illiberal democracies” such as Poland (66th), where the authorities have consolidated their control over public broadcasting and their strategy of “re-Polonising” the privately-owned media.

The trio of Nordic countries at the top of the Index – Norway, Denmark and Sweden – continues to serve as a democratic model where freedom of expression flourishes, while Moldova (40th) and Bulgaria (91st) stand out this year thanks to a government change and the hope it has brought for improvement in the situation for journalists even if oligarchs still own or control the media.

The situation is classified as “very bad” in a record number of 28 countries in this year’s Index, while 12 countries, including Belarus (153rd) and Russia (155th), are on the Index’s red list (indicating “very bad” press freedom situations) on the map. The world’s 10 worst countries for press freedom include Myanmar (176th), where the February 2021 coup d’état set press freedom back by 10 years, as well as China, Turkmenistan (177th), Iran (178th), Eritrea (179th) and North Korea (180th).

RSF Secretary-General Christophe Deloire said: “Margarita Simonyan, the Editor in Chief of RT (the former Russia Today), revealed what she really thinks in a Russia One TV broadcast when she said, ‘no great nation can exist without control over information.’ The creation of media weaponry in authoritarian countries eliminates their citizens’ right to information but is also linked to the rise in international tension, which can lead to the worst kind of wars. Domestically, the ‘Fox News-isation’ of the media poses a fatal danger for democracies because it undermines the basis of civil harmony and tolerant public debate. Urgent decisions are needed in response to these issues, promoting a New Deal for Journalism, as proposed by the Forum on Information and Democracy, and adopting an appropriate legal framework, with a system to protect democratic online information spaces.”

New way of compiling the Index

Working with a committee of seven experts* from the academic and media sectors, RSF developed a new methodology to compile the 20th World Press Freedom Index. 

The new methodology defines press freedom as “the effective possibility for journalists, as individuals and as groups, to select, produce and disseminate news and information in the public interest, independently from political, economic, legal and social interference, and without threats to their physical and mental safety.” In order to reflect press freedom’s complexity, five new indicators are now used to compile the Index: the political context, legal framework, economic context, sociocultural context, and security.

In the 180 countries and territories ranked by RSF, indicators are assessed on the basis of a quantitative survey of press freedom violations and abuses against journalists and media, and a qualitative study based on the responses of hundreds of press freedom experts selected by RSF (journalists, academics and human rights defenders) to a questionnaire with 123 questions. The questionnaire has been updated to take better account of new challenges, including those linked to media digitalisation.

In light of this new methodology, care should be taken when comparing the 2022 rankings and scores with those from 2021. Data-gathering for this year’s Index stopped at the end of January 2022, but updates for January to March 2022 were carried out for countries where the situation had changed dramatically (Russia, Ukraine and Mali).

Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

US$ 6.5 million paid to Zuberi on official written instructions of the Government: Cabraal

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US$ 6.5 million paid to Zuberi on official written instructions of the Government: Cabraal

The payments made to a ‘US CIA agent’ named Imaad Zuberi were proceeded on the official written instructions of the Government and not on the wishes of a single person, said former Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Ajith Nivard Cabraal, responding to the allegations levelled by Leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake at a special press conference at the Sri Lanka Foundations Institute today (03).

Claiming that such payments included those made to the said Imaad Zuberi and his organisations that were engaged by the Government in respect of communication programmes in the USA, Cabraal added that all payment on behalf of the Government had been made based on the official written instructions and approval of the relevant government authorities and that the respective payment protocols and procedures had been followed by the CBSL in the normal course of business when making these payments.

Full statement:

Statement by Ajith Nivard Cabraal on 3rd May 2022 re. the false allegation made by JVP Leader Dissanayake that a payment of USD 6.5 million was made by Ajith Nivard Cabraal to a “US CIA agent” named Imaad Zuberi in 2014, without proper approvals:

As the banker to the government, the payments made the Central Bank on behalf of the government in 2014 have been made on the official written instructions of the government, and not on the wishes of a single person. Such payments included those made to the said Imaad Zuberi and his organizations that were engaged by the Government in respect of communication programmes in the USA.

In that regard, it must be stated that all payments on behalf of the Government had been made based on the official written instructions and approval of the relevant government authorities. Further, the respective payment protocols and procedures had been followed by the Central Bank in the normal course of business when making these payments. Therefore, it can be confirmed that there has been no procedural or other violation by the Central Bank in making the payments totaling USD 6.5 million to Zuberi and his organizations, on behalf of the government.

Nevertheless, as it is now observed, there are certain groups of politically motivated persons who had been alleging that these payments have been made by me personally in a fraudulent manner, thereby causing a loss to the country.

In that regard, it must be stated that these same groups had these transactions investigated in detail for 5 years from 2015 to 2019, and after doing so, it had not been possible to point out any lapses or violations of any law on my part. As a result, no action was instituted against me by any law enforcement authority during that period of 5 years.

Nevertheless, these politically motivated groups have once again begun to hurl false allegations against me in order to tarnish my reputation and provoke public hatred upon me. While vehemently denying those allegations, I must state that I will respond to these despicable actions through the legal process and also institute action against the perpetrators of these falsehoods at the appropriate time in order to hold them accountable for their abusive actions.

Youths of the Struggle urge Chief Prelates to deprive titles of Rajapaksa Family

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Youths of the Struggle urge Chief Prelates to deprive titles of Rajapaksa Family

Youths of the GotaGoHome Public Struggle today (03) have paid homage to the Chief Prelates of the Malwathu – Asgiri Chapters and handed over a communique,’ urging them to dismiss the titles bestowed upon the Rajapaksa family and issue a Sangha Commandment.

They also asked the Maha Sangha not to even grace an alms giving organised by the Rajapaksa Family.

The group has also urged the Chief Prelates to expel all Buddhist monks loyal to the Rajapaksas who are acting against the Sangha Shasana.

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Ranawaka nominated to post of Finance Minister of proposed ‘National Consensus Government’?

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Ranawaka nominated to post of Finance Minister of proposed ‘National Consensus Government’?

MP Patali Champika Ranawaka has been nominated to the post of Finance Minister of the proposed ‘National Consensus Government’ to be jointly formed by the independent MP group, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and a faction of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) upon Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s resignation, internal sources disclosed.

Ranawaka was elected to Parliament from the 2020 General Election via the SJB but did not take its membership. He instead left his old political party Jathika Hela Urumaya and formed a new political force, the 43rd Brigade (Hathalis Thun Weni Senankaya), stemming a risk of collapse in the SJB over the preceding two years.

His latest position in the political saga could be driving this internal crisis into its bottle neck, sources claimed.

In the backdrop where Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa completely dismisses the belief that an interim government should be formed, activists loyal to the 43rd Brigade are of the view that an interim government should be formed to make the country politically stable and to battle the prevailing economic crisis. These activists have recently made this claim on their Social Media channels as well.

Some of the most powerful figures of the 43rd Brigade have recently been seen displaying tendency to publicly criticise Premadasa and make fun of him.

Contradictory to the mutually understood belief by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the SJB that an election should be called in instead of an interim government, Ranawaka recently told media that the holding of an election at this moment should not be necessary in the event that it could distort the public’s opinion.

Ranawaka also did not attend the May Day Rally organised by the SJB and instead attended a separate May Day Rally organised by the 43rd Brigade.

SJB hands over two no-confidence motions to Speaker (VIDEO)

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SJB hands over two no-confidence motions to Speaker (VIDEO)

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has handed over two no-confidence motions against the regime led by the President and the regime led by the Prime Minister to the Speaker.

Speaking to reporters, Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa stated that the Speaker may act in holding a debate in regard to these two motions and calling in a vote immediately.

He noted that this event can be identified as a moment where one of the strong demands made by those who are engaged in the people’s struggle is met.

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GMOA backs May 06 Hartal Movement (VIDEO)

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GMOA backs May 06 Hartal Movement (VIDEO)

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) has decided to support the hartal movement to be held by the trade unions and multi-stakeholder organisations on May 06.

Commenting on the Union’s stance on the hartal movement, GMOA Secretary Dr. Shanal Fernando stated that they support any peaceful protest unconditionally in the objective of ending the corrupt regime.

Accordingly, the GMOA will be extending its support to the protest while maintaining patient care services and essential services, he added, pointing out that the Union is backing any movement that caters to ending the system run by corrupt rulers.

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Veteran Actor and Action Star Wilson Karu passes away

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Veteran Actor and Action Star Wilson Karu passes away

Veteran Actor and Martial Artist Wilson Karunaratne has passed away at the age of 79.

A pioneer of live action and stunt skills in Sri Lankan Cinema, Karunaratne was best known as ‘Wilson Karu‘.

Karu made his film debut in the 1974 hit Hadawath Netto and acted in over 250 Sri Lankan movies.

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Hunger rate among school children reveals sudden spike

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Hunger rate among school children reveals sudden spike

The number of children attending schools without breakfast has indicated a sudden spike, disclosed the Sri Lanka Association of Professional Principals. Due to the prevailing economic crisis, parents have not been able to provide adequate meals to their children, said Union President Sujeewa Wimalaratne.

Revealing that school-based nutrition programmes have been stalled without progress, the Union President added that it has become a serious obstacle to the education of children.

Despite the usual limited number of children attending schools with hunger, the figure has submitted itself to a sudden spike, Wimalaratne went on, adding that they learned from the students who faint and fall during morning assemblies that many of them come to school without having their breakfast.

He emphasised that the prices of school equipment including uniforms, shoes and books have increased more than twice the usual prices and that parents are unable to save enough money to fill their children’s stomachs after covering such expenses.

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Fuel queue problem can be solved by tomorrow’s evening (VIDEO)

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Fuel queue problem can be solved by tomorrow’s evening (VIDEO)

The distribution of fuel hampered by the strike action launched by the Private Petroleum Tanker Owners Association will resume by tomorrow’s evening, Shantha Silva, Secretary of the Union, said speaking to media today (03).

The affair will be successful should the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) dispatch the necessary amount of petroleum orders, he noted.

Silva emphasised that his employees are putting great efforts in fuel transportation in the event that the CEYPETCO is also putting its best.

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Apparel exports slightly decline in March but grew by 11% in 1Q

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Apparel exports slightly decline in March but grew by 11% in 1Q

“Despite the challenges domestically, the Sri lankan apparel industry continues to persevere in a robust manner and aims at continuing this momentum through the year,” commented Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters Association.

S Lanka desperately needs today a well-etched out strategy to have a robust internal system that can help it fight the economic crisis, bring stability and enable the industry and the country to regain the good old days of glory,leading members of the association said.

Sri Lankan apparel manufacturing sector today has about 300 factories that generated export revenues of US $ 5.40 billion in 2021.

Over 1.10 million people (directly) are affected by the prevailing situation in the country in just the apparel sector alone!

With no electricity for many hours a day, the country has been going through a major energy crisis – not to mention the hardships faced by the industries owing to shortage of fuel.

Also, with food prices going very high, Sri Lanka is presently battling one of its worst economic crises.

Apparel exports in March have declined marginally by 0.04% on a Y-o-Y basis, though the drop is not as much as was predicted by the industry amidst the economic crisis the country has been facing.

During March , Sri Lanka shipped $ 435.20 million as compared to $ 435.36 million in the same month of 2021, according to statistics released by Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters Association.

Cumulatively, in Q1, Sri Lanka’s apparel exports grew by 11% to $ 1.39 billion when compared to $ 1.25 billion in apparel exports a year ago.

“Despite the challenges domestically, the industry continues to persevere in a robust manner and aims at continuing this momentum through the year,” commented Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters Association in its LinkedIn post.

Sri Lanka’s apparel exports of 488 million US dollars in January 2022 has topped the pre-pandemic 452 million US dollars in January 2019 and was the highest in five years, an industry body said.

Sri Lanka’s Join Apparel Association Forum said a strong vaccination drive and safety measures helped keep the sector running and halt Coronavirus infections.

Around 65 percent Sri Lanka’s apparel sector employees have got a booster vaccine and 95 percent have got two doses.

Notably, the worst affected is the country’s apparel sector – whose export contributes 6 per cent to the country’s GDP and accounts for 40 per cent of all exports that provides direct employment to 350,000 workers, with additional 700,000 receiving livelihood opportunities as part of the well-built supply chain.

The rising cost of shipping and logistics has been a growth impediment factor in the apparel industry despite the fact that Sri Lanka has shown robust growth in its exports but the current crisis seems to be hurting the business the most.

The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) – the apex body of Sri Lanka’s apparel industry – has raised concerns over the apparel industry’s ability to continue its operations due to the prevailing fuel and power crisis.

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