The Association of Cape Verdean Journalists (Ajoc) is defending a debate on the country’s “very alarming” decline in the annual press freedom index published this Friday by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
“We understand that this is a very alarming decline, there are eight points, but it is also an incentive for us to think together,” including journalists and the state, “in an impartial debate about what we need to do to reverse this decline.” This was stated by Ajok President Jeremias Furtado.
Cape Verde dropped to 41st place (33rd in 2023), worsening its absolute result.
As in the RSF report, Ajoka’s president said the decline was due to political pressure, the composition of the independent public radio-television body, the selection of government directors, self-censorship and attacks on journalists on social media.
The document also highlights a “culture of secrecy” and government restrictions on access to information of public interest.
Other difficulties relate to isolation: on the one hand, “the small size of the islands hampers the development of investigative journalism”, journalists avoid “covering issues that affect someone they know”, and on the other hand, the advertising market is limited and constrains the growth of the sector.
“The report says it all. Now is the time to stop, reflect and see what everyone can do to combat these situations that ultimately undermine and harm press freedom in Cape Verde,” he added.
In this sense, he was available for a “frank conversation” with all stakeholders responsible for press freedom issues in the archipelago.
“We believe that with complete freedom of the press, our democracy will win, just like our country,” the journalist emphasized.
The World Press Freedom Index, published annually by Reporters Without Borders, assesses conditions for practicing journalism in 180 countries and territories based on a questionnaire for journalists (and others involved in press freedom) and case studies. .
Each country’s classification is based on five indicators that score (from zero to 100) the practice of journalism according to the political, legal, economic, sociocultural and security context.
This year, Cape Verde recorded two increases: in the security sector (92.03 points) and at the legislative level (up to 74.7 points), the two strongest components.
The score decreases for other indicators measuring the environment for journalism: at the social level (to 73.35 points), economic (54.25, the lowest) and political (to 69.51 points).
According to the index’s assessment levels, the economic and political components are in a “problematic situation.”
However, compared to West Africa’s panorama, “the country stands out in the region for its journalist-friendly working environment.”
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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