Switzerland ranks 12th for press freedom

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This mitigated a previously unprecedented hostile climate of intimidation, hostility and even physical violence by those opposed to the pandemic measures, Reporters Without Borders said Wednesday. This aggression had knocked Switzerland back from 10th to 14th place in 2022.

However, the level of press freedom has not returned to the level of 2021. Press freedom in Switzerland is therefore only considered “fairly good”. This is because of the legislature. Switzerland dropped from 29th to 37th place on this sub-indicator.

On the one hand, this is because parliament has lowered the threshold for super-preliminary orders against the media. This allows a judge to block reports if an injured party could be disadvantaged. To do that, she had to prove a particularly serious disadvantage.

On the other hand, the “snout article” in the Banking Act continues to curtail freedom of information. Swiss journalists face up to three years in prison for reporting on leaked or stolen banking information. The economic situation of many media remains fragile, which had an impact on the media diversity sub-indicator.

The current 21st international ranking describes the situation of press freedom in 31 countries as very bad, in 42 as difficult and in 55 as problematic. The worst performing countries are Vietnam (178th), China (179th) and North Korea (180th).

Media freedom is good or moderately good in 52 countries. Here Norway retains 1st place for the seventh time in a row. Ireland comes in at number 2, followed by Denmark and the Netherlands. Reporters Without Borders publishes the ranking on May 3, Press Freedom Day. (SDA)

Source:Blick