₦airaland Forum

Nigeria has dropped one place to 120th in the latest World Press Freedom Index released by the international media watchdog, Reporters Without Borders.



Ghana also lost its spot as Africa’s best in terms of press freedom after Ahmed Suale, an investigative journalist with Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ Tiger Eye PI was murdered.

Norway, Sweden and Netherlands bagged the top three positions, respectively.

Turkmenistan was least rated, followed closely by North Korea and Eritrea.

Namibia led the African countries at the 23rd position, followed by Cabo verde (25) and Ghana (27).

According to the report, Sub-Saharan Africa, in general, faced a decline in press freedom “with hatred towards journalists, attacks on investigative reporters, censorship and economic and judicial harassment all undermined independent reporting and quality journalism"

“In Nigeria, it is nearly impossible to cover stories involving politics, terrorism, or financial embezzlement. Journalists are often threatened, subjected to physical violence, or denied access to information by government officials, police, and sometimes the public itself,” RSF had said.

Per the report, the number of countries regarded as safe, “where journalists can work in complete security, continues to decline, while authoritarian regimes continue to tighten their grip on the media.”

Below are the Top 25 Highest Ranked African countries in 2019 Press Freedom Ranking

World Rank | Country | Score
23. Namibia - 18.95
25. Cabo Verde - 19.81
27. Ghana - 20.81
31. South Africa - 22.19
36. Burkina Faso - 24.53
44. Botswana - 25.09
49. Senegal - 25.81
54. Madagascar - 27.76
56. Comoros - 27.91
58. Mauritius - 28.46
66. Niger - 29.26
68. Malawi - 29.36
69. Seychelles - 29.41
71. Côte d’Ivoire - 29.52
72. Tunisia - 29.61
76. Togo - 29.69
78. Lesotho - 29.74
86. Sierra Leone - 30.36
89. Guinea Bissau - 30.95
92. Gambia - 31.35
100. Kenya - 32.44
103. Mozambique - 32.66
107. Guinea - 33.49
109. Angola - 34.96
110. Ethiopia - 35.11

Full List

Source: https://listwand.com/2019-press-freedom-nigeria-ranked-120-out-of-180-countries/

Sad.. Even niger was ranked higher than Nigeria

See full list here

Why won't we rank low?

When Channels TV that stood out for years was finally bastardized in this administration.

NTA, with their pink-coloured home screen is resigned to airing npower beneficiaries and defunct Nigeria Airways pensioners.

And AIT that dares to still stand out has got it's property demolished?

Not forgetting "constituted authority" of Ibadan's contribution to the low rank by demolishing Yinka Ayefele's radio house for opening it to voices of opposition.

Awol1:
Why won't we rank low?

When Channels TV that stood out for years was finally bastardized in this administration.

NTA, with their pink-coloured home screen is resigned to airing npower beneficiaries and defunct Nigeria Airways pensioners.

And AIT that dares to still stand out has got it's property demolished?

Not forgetting "constituted authority" of Ibadan's contribution to the low rank by demolishing Yinka Ayefele's radio house for opening it to voices of opposition.

True

Wetin Somalia carry?

Xander85:
Wetin Somalia carry?

They were ranked 164 out of -180...

See below
lowest ranked African countries in 2019 Press Freedom

No surprise here

My opinion is that this ranking is not completely an fair reflection of press freedom situation in Nigeria. If you go through the editorials, reports and articles in our dailies, you will understand that there is freedom of press opinion in Nigeria.
However, the only stumbling block is getting information from government and its agencies as well as the risks involved in investigative works. But let's face it, all over the world public officers try as much as possible to hide information if it will lead to scandals. In the same vein, investigative journalism has its risk in every country of the world.

Ironically, the same media organizations in Nigeria pleading press freedom also hide information from their own workers let alone giving it to an outsider. And any employee who tries to dig deeper is summarily rendered jobless.

Wiseandtrue:
Under Buhari they should rank 180 not 120!!!

Because for speaking his mind and not calling him, na Odumakin matter him dey now!

Imagine what others are going through

I know alot of radio presenters that have lost their job for doing their job!!!

Journalists in those countries ranked below Nigeria must be living in hell