Belgium drops eleven places in World Press Freedom Index

Belgium has dropped eleven places in the annual World Press Freedom Index. The country is now in 23rd place in the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranking. Despite a relatively high level of trust in the press, Belgian journalists are confronted with violence and online threats.

In general, Belgian media enjoy a relatively high degree of trust, especially in Flanders. "Nevertheless, the pandemic has been shedding light on the issue of disinformation. And a wave of criticism toward the Flemish media accuse them of covering the public-health emergency from a pro-government perspective", says RSF.

"Journalists covering demonstrations against pandemic public-health measures were subjected to intimidation and threats by protesters. And police violence, along with online threats with a racist or sexist cast, have led to a sense of lack of safety among journalists", RSF notes. 'In this climate, some of them decided against covering certain events deemed to be too dangerous. And some journalists even quit the profession."

The government does not always condemn threats against journalists, the organisation says. The media sector is "protected by an effective legal framework" and "is apparently free from political pressure".

The index shows the state of press freedom in 180 countries and territories. Norway is at the top of RSF's World Press Freedom Index, followed by Denmark and Sweden. North Korea comes last. A record number of countries are in a "very serious situation" when it comes to press freedom. In total, 12 countries have been added to the red list, including Belarus (153) and Russia (155). 

(KR)

Reporters without Borders Director of Operations and Campaigns Rebecca Vincent shows the new 2022 World Press Freedom Index map © JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP