A need for independence highlighted by the coronavirus crisis

[Shishirgano9]

The increase in repressive measures during the pandemic is accompanied by a tightening of sanctions. The repression affects journalists individually, but also the organizations to which they belong: broadcast bans and seizures (closure of 221 websites in Burma ), very heavy fines and prison sentences (up to €25,000 in Russia , 6 months in prison in South Africa , a year and a half in Indonesia , five years in Botswana, etc.).

Given the intensification of threats to press freedom teacher database and journalists since the start of the pandemic, the aim of organisations such as Reporters Without Borders is to ensure that these emergency laws are not perpetuated, and to urge governments and other political actors not to hinder the work of journalists. The exceptional measures taken in recent months must not continue once the health crisis is contained.

RSF plans to publish a major post-pandemic white paper, which will take stock of the damage caused by the pandemic in the journalism sector. Regarding Covid-19, Pauline Adès-Mevel nevertheless points out that we are not yet at "the dawn of an end to the crisis".