PARIS: The Sultanate of Oman advanced 18 places to rank 137th in the annual World Press Freedom Index 2024 report published by Reporters Without Borders.
The Sultanate of Oman secured 42.52 points compared to 37.87 points last year when it ranked 155th globally.
The index measures the state of press freedom in 180 countries and regions annually using five metrics to assess press freedom including the political context, legal framework, economic context, social and cultural context and safety.
This year’s report is characterised by a clear lack of political will on the part of the international community to impose the principles of protecting journalists and implementing the United Nations Security Council Resolution No 2222.
The war in Gaza is marked by a record number of violations against journalists and press since October 2023 with more than 100 Palestinian journalists killed by the Israeli army, 22 of whom were killed while carrying out their work.
The World Press Freedom Index 2024 showed a decline in the ranking of the United States, one of the largest economic powers in the world, by ten places.
Sub-Saharan Africa was very affected by political violence during major elections in 2023. More than 8 percent of African countries are now colored red on the chart, twice as many as in 2023.
The index described the situation in the Middle East and North Africa region as ‘extremely dangerous’, especially in occupied Palestine which is being bombed by the Israeli occupation army. The index showed that Israel dropped four places.
The conditions for practicing journalism in Eastern Europe are deteriorating due to the extent of misinformation and censorship of media outlets accused of undermining national security or terrorism. The Kingdom of Norway topped the index, while the State of Eritrea came at the bottom of the ranking.
Reporters Without Borders was founded in 1985. It is a non-governmental organization headquartered in the French capital, Paris. It has the status of a consultant to the United Nations. The World Press Freedom Day is celebrated on May 3 of each year. — ONA
The war in Gaza
is marked by
a record number of violations against journalists and press since October 2023 with more than 100 Palestinian journalists killed by the Israeli armyReporters Without Borders
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
