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EMBARGOED UNTIL MAY 3 Press Freedom Global Ranking -- USAGM
May 1, 2022
Content TypePackage
LanguageEnglish
Transcript/ScriptTV – Press Freedom Global Ranking
HEADLINE: Propaganda a Global Threat to Free Media
TEASER: Disinformation and censorship tactics trigger global decline in media freedom, Reporters Without Borders finds
PUBLISHED AT: 05-01-2022 at 4:22 p.m.
BYLINE: Sirwan Kajjo
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Washington
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: JJ, Reifenrath, DJ (ok)
VIDEO SOURCE (S): Zoom, Wires, Graphics
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO _X_
TRT: 3:32
VID APPROVED BY: Jepsen
TYPE: TVPKG:
EDITOR NOTES: For VOA Press Freedom. Hold for May 3, World Press Freedom Day (but release to House so they can version ahead of embargo lifting
BROLL and graphics live here: https://app.frame.io/projects/71f8cdc5-4d41-4b96-b8a0-1f79920f11f8/39ab3216-0ba9-4188-9908-b59a14af7747 ; From copy eds: Please reassure us that the Zoom interviews were either conducted with a USAGM Zoom for Business lic or on your own computer.))
((INTRO))
[[Russia's war in Ukraine opened a battleground for disinformation. But how does propaganda impact media freedom? Reporters Without Borders' 2022 Press Freedom Index has the answers, says Sirwan Kajjo for VOA.]]
((BROLL Russian newsrooms Ekho Moscow and Dohzd TV closing, Novaya Gazeta//Ukraine reporters covering war))
((NARRATOR))
Propaganda, laws aimed at discrediting credible media, website bans, arrests. Moscow’s assault on a free press ramped up as Russian troops invaded Ukraine.
((Map graphic, zoom into Russia; Putin general footage))
((NARRATOR))
In doing so, Russia’s media freedom rating declined, moving it closer to the bottom of the 2022 World Press Freedom Index, produced by Reporters Without Borders, or RSF.
((China Broll, China map))
((NARRATOR))
The annual index classifies a record 28 countries as "having very bad media freedom." They join the likes of China, which is exporting censorship beyond its borders while amplifying Kremlin propaganda.
((HK Apple Daily closure, Stand news arrests, raids/ Myanmar, Nicaragua))
((NARRATOR))
Under Beijing’s influence, Hong Kong registered a dramatic decline, ranking 148th out of 180 on the index after a series of raids and arrests shuttered pro-democracy news sites.
Ethiopia and Nicaragua also registered steep declines after moves by authorities to suppress, censor or block media.
More troubling, says RSF, is the impact media polarization and disinformation has on society.
[[Radio: Clayton Weimers is the U.S. deputy director of RSF]]
((Clayton Weimers, Reporters Without Borders)) ((Male in English) ((TC: 0:17 – 0:48))
((Mandatory courtesy: Zoom))
“In 2022, it’s really undeniable that media polarization and information chaos are really fueling social divisions in ways that are pretty new.”
((BROLL: Afghanistan/Ethiopia/Myanmar))
((NARRATOR))
Power grabs also impacted the media environment, in some cases wiping out years of progress.
((MAP showing rankings//BROLL of Myanmar))
The coup in Myanmar marked a 10-year setback for media rights, with journalists detained, media licenses revoked, and many news outlets returning to exile.
((MAP showing rankings//BROLL of Afghanistan))
In Afghanistan, the Taliban pledged to uphold press freedom, but instead imposed restrictive laws and blocked female journalists from the airwaves. Media outlets are facing financial hardship after bans on entertainment and advertising cut revenue.
((MAP showing rankings//BROLL of Ethiopia))
And in Ethiopia, the war in the Tigray region, with its communication blackouts and restricted access, resulted in a 13-point drop, to 114, on the index. A disappointing result for a country that just three years ago was lauded for its reforms.
The downward trend and authoritarian tactics have spread, says RSF.
[[Radio: Again, Clayton Weimers from RSF]]
((Clayton Weimers, Reporters Without Borders)) ((Male in English)) ((TC: 7:45 – 8:5))
((Mandatory courtesy: Zoom))
“There is a contagion effect with authoritarian regimes, and when we allow a culture of impunity to exist where authoritarians are allowed to go after journalists, harass them, arrest them, beat them in the streets and kill them, it has a knock-on effect. It emboldens that same authoritarian to do it again next time, and it emboldens other authoritarians who are watching to do the same.”
((BROLL: MAP showing rankings/US & BROLL of WH press briefings/journalists))
((NARRATOR))
The U.S. made a slight improvement compared with 2021, but journalists and media outlets are flagging barriers to coverage, including of state governments and protests.
[[Radio: Beth Francesco is the senior director of the National Press Club Journalism Institute]]
((Beth Francesco, National Press Club Journalism Institute)) (Female in English) ((TC: 2:25 – 2:51))
((Mandatory courtesy: Zoom))
“We typically find that this is either due to just a blatant disregard for the laws governing open records or meetings, or they're simply misinterpreting them. An individual is misinterpreting whether a journalist can be present at a particular event.”
((BROLL: journalists out on assignment; press packs/news briefings))
((NARRATOR))
Democracies play an important role in safeguarding press freedom. But this rise in disinformation and propaganda is having a disastrous effect on independent news, RSF finds.
Sirwan Kajjo, VOA News
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Washington D.C.
Embargo DateMay 1, 2022 18:17 EDT
BylineSirwan Kajjo, VOA News
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
