Media Law Freedom House by Miriann Meyeringh https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt Click on your country and add the relevant information from FreedomHouse.org, as indicated in Showbie. en-us 2022-12-20 02:48:41 UTC 2023-08-25 12:12:13 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f30d.png Russia mmeyeringh https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2662876039 D1 0/4

Constitution has free speech, but laws give the government the authority to crack down on speech that goes against the government. Media is is state-owned and controlled. TV most popular source of news (RTV), but not as popular with young folks who use social media. Social media required to take down “illegal” content and can be fined. In December, Google fined $100M for failure to delete “illegal content.”]]> 2023-08-16 00:39:27 UTC https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2662876039 Australia erodriguez2412_2 https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2668027427 Australia has an overall freedom score of 95/100, and a Media Freedom score of 3/4. Australia is mostly free because despite its constitution not explicitly protecting the freedom of the press, journalists are generally able to criticize politicians and report on other controversial issues without any real threats of harassment or violence. Journalists have, however, been limited by judicial suppression orders when covering certain criminal cases. They also regularly face defamation lawsuits from politicians and other public figures as a result of unflattering coverage, most especially online. In February 2021, the Australian government passed the News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code, requiring platforms like Google and Youtube to pay news outlets for using their content. This legislation has received some criticism, as some have argued that it restricts media diversity, but as of August 2022, it had generated AU $200 million ($138 million) in revenue for news outlets as a result of these deals. ]]> 2023-08-22 00:09:59 UTC https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2668027427 Ukraine https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2669376594 The overall freedom score of Ukraine is a 50/100, which is partly free. Additionally, the media freedom score (D1) is a 2/4. Ukraine is mostly free, however in light of some current and unfortunate events, the freedom of media and press has been limited. Some characteristics that make this country media free is that the constitution ensures freedoms of speech and expression. However, there are certain ways the media is not free since new laws prohibit a number of Russian news outlets and journalists from entering the country. Also the government has banned access to some Russian news channels, websites, and social media platforms. The government has gained an increased amount to limiting media but this is in a way to protect its country, besides the current arising issue between Ukraine and Russia the resident had otherwise appreciated the unlimited access to internet and media. Journalists are not safe in Ukraine due to the Russian forces that have invaded. It has been reported that 43 journalists were killed covering the invasion in 2022. Journalists in Ukraine are facing fatal risks and threats simply by just doing their job. Previous to the invasion, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, signed a bill that increased government control over print and online media, however they did this in order to control the roll out of Russia propaganda. Although, journalists call this “a threat to free speech” since other provisions of the law also allow the government to shut down any news sites that aren’t officially registered as media without a court order. To summarize, Russia has invaded Ukraine, so in response to this the Ukrainian government has increased limits of free press in order to protect the country.
-Sophie Llevat



]]> 2023-08-23 00:38:00 UTC https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2669376594 Ukraine sllevat241_2 https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2669382271 The overall freedom score of Ukraine is a 50/100, which is partly free. Additionally, the media freedom score (D1) is a 2/4. Ukraine is mostly free, however in light of some current and unfortunate events, the freedom of media and press has been limited. Some characteristics that make this country media free is that the constitution ensures freedoms of speech and expression. However, there are certain ways the media is not free since new laws prohibit a number of Russian news outlets and journalists from entering the country. Also the government has banned access to some Russian news channels, websites, and social media platforms. The government has gained an increased amount to limiting media but this is in a way to protect its country, besides the current arising issue between Ukraine and Russia the residents had otherwise appreciated the unlimited access to internet and media. Journalists are not safe in Ukraine due to the Russian forces that have invaded. It has been reported that 43 journalists were killed covering the invasion in 2022. Journalists in Ukraine are facing fatal risks and threats simply by just doing their job. Previous to the invasion, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, signed a bill that increased government control over print and online media, however they did this in order to control the roll out of Russia propaganda. Although, journalists call this “a threat to free speech” since other provisions of the law also allow the government to shut down any news sites that aren’t officially registered as media without a court order. To summarize, Russia has invaded Ukraine, so in response to this the Ukrainian government has increased limits of free press in order to protect the country.
-Sophie Llevat



]]> 2023-08-23 00:42:15 UTC https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2669382271 China acejas241_2 https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2669625986 China’s freedom score is currently 9 out of 100. Ergo, there is no free reign for press in this country. Their D1 media freedom score is also a disappointing  0/4. Due to China’s restrictive nature and the government’s ownership of almost all major Chinese Media groups, the censorship of the press is very easily done. The Chinese Communist Party sends “detailed notices to all media every day that includes editorial guidelines and censored topics” in order to maintain control and spread their Communist propaganda. Any journalist who wishes to report on issues the Chinese regime deems “sensitive”, will face backlash through surveillance, coercion, intimidation and harassment. China is currently the world’s largest jailer of journalists, with more than 100 reports detained right now. ]]> 2023-08-23 04:20:03 UTC https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2669625986 United States https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2669976618 The United States freedom score is 83/100. That’s more than 3/4’s of the country being free. The United States is 3/4 free in the media world. This means that for the most part, the U. S is free when it comes to their press. The U. S. is under some of the most strongly protected constitution. The feds are banned against taking records from journalists. Journalists are free to speak on whatever matters they’d like until the year of 2021 in which Red states in Florida and Texas tried restricting some social media platforms. Later in May of 2022 this law was overturned. Therefore writers are able to speak on whatever they’d like. For the most part violence against writers has been said to be rare these past years, even though there has been reported murders due to information disclosed by some journalists. Recently journalists have been free to speak on what they’d like with only suffering minor consequences like getting their blog shut down or restricted to speak on certain topics. Recently in the year 2022, a man under the name of Jeff German was murdered due to his “controversial” reports at the time. Recently with elections happening through the years some incidents have occurred. Donald trump was revoked his ability of freedom of speech in the online world on twitter. The Supreme Court also put up some blocks to monitor journalists and the peoples searches. ]]> 2023-08-23 11:50:39 UTC https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2669976618 United States alopez2622_2 https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2669981171 United States
The United States freedom score is 83/100. That’s more than 3/4’s of the country being free. The United States is 3/4 free in the media world. This means that for the most part, the U. S is free when it comes to their press. The U. S. is under some of the most strongly protected constitution. The feds are banned against taking records from journalists. Journalists are free to speak on whatever matters they’d like until the year of 2021 in which Red states in Florida and Texas tried restricting some social media platforms. Later in May of 2022 this law was overturned. Therefore writers are able to speak on whatever they’d like. For the most part violence against writers has been said to be rare these past years, even though there has been reported murders due to information disclosed by some journalists. Recently journalists have been free to speak on what they’d like with only suffering minor consequences like getting their blog shut down or restricted to speak on certain topics. Recently in the year 2022, a man under the name of Jeff German was murdered due to his “controversial” reports at the time. Recently with elections happening through the years some incidents have occurred. Donald trump was revoked his ability of freedom of speech in the online world on twitter. The Supreme Court also put up some blocks to monitor journalists and the peoples searches.
]]> 2023-08-23 11:57:21 UTC https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2669981171 United Kingdom elazarus241_2 https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2670039116 Freedom Score: 93/100
D1 Score: 4/4

The press freedom is free and legally protected. The media environment is lively and competitive, espousing viewpoints spanning the political spectrum. The publicly is owned by British Broadcasting Corporation and is viewed as editorially independent and competitive. 
Journalists in the UK face regular harassment like threats and online abuse. The government published its first-ever National Action Plan to enhance the safety of journalists in 2021. In August 2022, six antilockdown activists received convictions for verbally abusing and chasing BBC journalist Nicholas Watt on a London street in 2021. Five were handed community sentences. In July 2022, the Justice Ministry said the government would legislate to address strategic lawsuits against public participation. ]]> 2023-08-23 13:05:22 UTC https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2670039116 Japan agarcia2417 https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2670041230 Japan has a freedom score of 96. Freedom of the press is prosecuted and guaranteed under the Japan constitution. Their D1 score is a 3/4. One of the laws blocking this is that journalists can be prosecuted for sharing any information about the Japanese government. What makes Japan's free press not actually free is that you can be imprisoned and can be pushed to self-censorship for releasing news in reference to the government. Journalists are safe to report freely as long as their reporting isn’t revealing any incriminating evidence or information about the government. Currently different instructions and corporations that follow the Keisha Kurabu, this club system does not allow media outlet members or journalists to be apart of their club. ]]> 2023-08-23 13:07:27 UTC https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2670041230 France lespinosa241_2 https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2670050878 France’s freedom score is 89/100, which is considered free. The country’s D1 score which measures media freedom is 4/4, meaning that the media generally operates freely. Free press/media is protected by the French Constitution, although France does have a history of governmental censorship, and the media represents a variety of differing political opinions. Despite being a “free” country, journalists in France have faced violence and they are not exempt from police orders to disperse protests, according to the 2021 Global Security Law. In late 2022, a judge signed an order banning Mediapart, an independent online newspaper, from publishing conversations of the mayor of Saint’Etienne, Gaël Perdriau, that allegedly dealt with blackmail without even hearing what the conversations were or giving Mediapart an opportunity to defend themselves. This injunction has been the first law on freedom of the press since 1881. This law will definitely affect the freedom of press because it censors newspapers and prevents them from printing something that the people might want to know about a public figure and that might be relevant to their opinions about their officials. The National Union of Journalists have spoken out against this law, saying that even if their publications harm the reputation of public figures, it still infringes on the freedom of the press to inform. The president Emmanuel Macron has also recently been supporting censorship of social media platforms like TikTok and Snapchat and taking down posts that he claims encouraged acts of violence and riots after police shot a 17 year old.]]> 2023-08-23 13:13:21 UTC https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2670050878 Colombia malvarezcastillo24 https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2670066018 Colombia has a freedom score of 70, which is partly, but mostly free. The media score (D1 score) is 2 out of 4. The right to free speech is protected by the constitution, and media outlets frequently provide opposing viewpoints. However, violence and intimidation are frequently used against journalists both in the course of their reporting and as payback. In recent years, the government has brought charges in a number of high-profile incidents of journalist murder, although convictions are uncommon. Slander and defamation continue to be illegal, although self-censorship is frequently practiced. The government neither censors websites nor restricts access to the internet. Twitter and other social media platforms have developed into significant forums for political conversation, but local news coverage is still scarce in many parts of Colombia.  ]]> 2023-08-23 13:21:11 UTC https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2670066018 Cuba https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2670068437 Cuba has always had one of the most restrictive media environments, and has barely been given freedom throughout it’s history. Cuba has a 12/100 score and it’s status is not free.  Their media/ press freedom has a 0/4 score. This means that the entire country has no freedom when it comes to their media and/ or press, especially considering that its media sector is controlled by the state and the constitution doesn’t allow any sort of privately owned media. Journalists are regularly harassed, interrogated, threatened,detained, prohibited from traveling, and defamed in the official press because they are considered as “enemy propaganda”. Government agents accuse them of being terrorists or mercenaries, and face many charges of “diffusion of false news,” “usurpation of legal capacity,” or other offenses that have barely been defined. A current event affecting free press in Cuba is migration. Migration has always been a problem in Cuba but the number of Cuban’s trying to escape had an insane increase in 2022. The Border Patrol from the US imprisoned over 203,000 Cubans within the first 9 months of 2022 because of their attempt to escape Cuba. Cuban’s who travel to the US face many problems and abuses from security forces through the route. 

-Sophia Vallejo ]]> 2023-08-23 13:22:50 UTC https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2670068437 Nicaragua https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2670074582 Countries freedom sore- 19/100

The D1 score- 0/4

Characteristics that make this countries media not free are that The Ortega regime has cracked down on free and independent media and journalists since returning to power in 2007. Also In September the government blocked reception of CNN without disclosing the reasons. In 2020, the FSLN-controlled National Assembly passed the Special Cybercrimes Law, making it easier to criminalize dissent in traditional news outlets and social media.

Journalists are not safe to report freely since in the past The government has intimidated and arrested journalists, censored media outlets, and sought to deprive print media of essential supplies, including ink and paper. 

There is current events affecting the free press since The regime has also targeted foreign outlets, preventing New York Times reporters from entering the country in 2021. And  In September 2022, the Confidencial news outlet reported that 54 outlets have been shuttered, 8 media workers have been imprisoned, and 140 journalists have sought exile since 2007.




]]> 2023-08-23 13:25:16 UTC https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2670074582 Turkey aespineira243_2 https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2670083346 Turkey’s freedom score is 32. The D1 score or media freedom is 1/4. The media is not free. Journalists are not safe to report freely because the government seizes many news outlets and controls many narratives. The current events affecting the press is the government seizing Zaman, one of Turkey’s most widely read newspapers. The government also has control of other newspapers, TV channels, and TV stations. ]]> 2023-08-23 13:29:14 UTC https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2670083346 Nicaragua mbarclay25_4 https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2670085541 Countries freedom sore- 19/100

The D1 score- 0/4

Characteristics that make this countries media not free are that The Ortega regime has no had free and independent media and journalists since returning to power in 2007. Also In September the government blocked reception of CNN without disclosing the reasons. In 2020, the FSLN-controlled National Assembly passed the Special Cybercrimes Law, making it easier to criminalize dissent in traditional news outlets and social media.

Journalists are not safe to report freely since in the past The government has intimidated and arrested journalists, censored media outlets, and sought to deprive print media of essential supplies, including ink and paper. 

There is current events affecting the free press  is that  The regime has also targeted foreign outlets, preventing New York Times reporters from entering the country in 2021. And  In September 2022, the Confidencial news outlet reported that 54 outlets have been shuttered, 8 media workers have been imprisoned, and 140 journalists have sought exile since 2007.




]]> 2023-08-23 13:30:59 UTC https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2670085541 India mlopez2410_2 https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2670088868 The overall freedom score of India is 66/100, which is partly free. The media freedom score (D1) is a 2/4. Indias media is partly free. Recently, attacks on press freedom have escalated under the modi government. Security, defamation, sedition, and hate speech laws, as well as contempt-of-court penalties, have all been utilized by authorities to intimidate media critics. In addition to facing criminal penalties, journalists face physical abuse, death threats, and harassment while performing their jobs. Such assaults are rarely punished, and some have happened with police involvement. Mohammed Zubair, a co-founder of the Alt News fact-checking website, was detained in June 2022 on suspicion of inciting religious feelings through a Twitter tweet. Zubair, a Muslim, was charged with disrespecting a Hindu god by a complainant. The Uttar Pradesh police eventually charged Zubair with using "offensive" language to insult Hindu religious leaders after he was granted bail in July.]]> 2023-08-23 13:33:31 UTC https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2670088868 North Korea https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2670092419 The freedom score in North Korea is 3/100 and the D1 score is 0/4. North Korea is one of the countries with the least amount of freedom for press and speech. North Korea's government controls most if not all media outlets. Most televisions and radios are strictly censored and supervised for the government. Even the news agencies from out of North Korea are tightly managed and controlled. Most have also been expelled for their work. Journalists aren’t free to report since all media is so tightly monitored and journalists are usually expelled and vanished for what they say against the government. Currently there are many stories on different reporters being penalized for what they say in North Korea. An example of this is Lim Ji-Hyun. She was a social media influencer who escaped North Korea and found a new home in Seoul, South Korea. She, with other woman who had escaped, had suddenly gone missing. This brought light about how unsafe it is to freely express your opinions on North Korea even if you feel your safe in another country. ]]> 2023-08-23 13:36:27 UTC https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2670092419 Mexico cjimenez243_2 https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2670110503 Mexicos freedom score is 60/100. Mexico’s media score is 2/4. In Mexico, it is not safe to be a reporter. The security environment for journalists have been very challenging. At least 15 journalists have been killed in 2022 and many more just for being reporters in the country. The federal protection mechanism for human rights defenders and journalists have helped protect many reporters from being killed. The diversity of viewpoints on the media still remain high.  In 2021, the Supreme Court ruled that Congress must pass more detailed rules governing state publicity. Lopez obrador was in office and has publicly been attacking the press specifically attacking reporters and news outlets. Then in april of 2022 the attacks against the press have increased in the first three years he has been in office. In 2013 the constitution then made internet access a civil right, but many people still have started gangs, threats and violence against the online journalists. ]]> 2023-08-23 13:44:47 UTC https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2670110503 Brazil https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2670157057 Brazil has a freedom score of 73/100 and their media freedom score is 3/4. Overall, Brazil does have freedom of expression and the country’s media is mostly vibrant, however investigative journalists, specifically those who cover corruption, crime, or criticize Bolsonaro (former president of Brazil; brazilian politician), face threats, harassment, obstruction, and sometimes deadly violence. The aggressive verbal abuse towards journalists and the press adopted by the Bolsonaro administration from 2019 to 2022 fueled an increasingly angry attitude towards journalists within Brazilian society. Social media and physical attacks against journalists have been seen particularly during the 2022 elections and the insurrection attempt by Bolsonaro supporters in the centre of Brasilia on January 8th 2023.]]> 2023-08-23 14:21:20 UTC https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2670157057 Israel aleon254_2 https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2672848321 Israel has a freedom score of 77/100 with a D1 score of 3/4. According  to freedomhouse.org the only topics that may be "censored" are those involving security matters. Despite this, the people don't trust the media due to the fact that the prime minister, Netanyahu portrays them as traitors to Israel who are trying to "unseat" him, or take him out of power.  This has made the Israeli media shy away from reporting on topics such as sympathy for Palestine or writing articles that would not seem "leftist". It is also important to note that the government has withheld press cards from journalists in order to restrict them from entering Israel on occasion.The last thing that should be considered when talking about whether the media is "free" or not is the fact that most media outlets are affected by the political views of their owners, a recent example of this is the owner of the popular news paper Yedioth Ahronoth agreeing to positively cover the rime minister in exchange for regulatory favors.

]]> 2023-08-25 12:11:48 UTC https://padlet.com/mmeyeringh/mt29tyygyh2c3tqt/wish/2672848321