Russia Remained Among World's More Repressive and Most Dangerous Media Environments
According to a Freedom House study released on April 30, global press freedom declined in 2009 for the eigth consecutive year, with setbacks registered in almost every region of the world.
In particular, the study, entitled "Freedom of the Press 2010: A Global Survey of Media Independence," reported that the Russian govenment has been systematically encroaching on the comparatively free environment of the internet and new media. Sophisticated techniques are being used to censor and block access to particular types of information, to flood the Internet with antidemocratic, nationalistic views, and to provide broad surveillance of citizen activity.
Jennifer Windsor, executive director of Freedom House, said: "Freedom of expression is fundamental to all other freedoms. Rule of law, fair elections, minority rights, freedom of association, and accountable government all depend on an independent press which can fulfill its watchdog function." She that when "criminal elements in Russia assassinate yet another investigative reporter, it sends a clear message that every person fighting for basic rights is vulnerable to a similar fate."
The study found that the region of Central and Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union underwent a modest decline; most countries showed little or no change. In the non-Baltic former Soviet Union, where media freedoms are severely restricted, Russia remained among the world's more repressive and most dangerous media environments.
Freedom House is an independent watchdog organization that supports democratic change, monitors the status of freedom around the world, and advocates for democracy and human rights.