Poland Makes Strides in Press Freedom Amid Challenges in Europe

Poland has shown notable improvements in its press freedom ranking, despite an overall deteriorating situation across Europe, as reported on World Press Freedom Day 2024. The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners documented over 1,000 media freedom violations affecting more than 1,500 journalists or media entities in European Union Member States and candidate countries since World Press Freedom Day 2023.

Poland's progress is attributed to the efforts of the reforming government, which ended the eight-year political stranglehold of the governing party over public media TVP. This development contrasts with the situation in Slovakia, where a new era of intimidation and pressure on private and public media has emerged following recent elections.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) classifies Poland's overall press freedom situation as "satisfactory" in 2024. The country improved by three places in the ranking to 66th out of 180 countries, despite losing one point. However, Poland's economic indicator score dropped by five points to 69.4 out of 100, moving from a "satisfactory" to a "problematic" classification.

Fiona O'Brien, RSF UK bureau director, cites financial difficulties resulting in widespread job cuts and a challenging economic climate that caused the decline. "While overall, the ability of journalists to work freely in the UK remains stable, it is worrying to see the economic indicator slip into the 'problematic' zone, reflecting a challenging economic environment," O'Brien stated.

Why this matters: The decline in press freedom has far-reaching implications for democracy, as a free press is vital for holding those in power accountable and ensuring an informed citizenry. A deterioration in press freedom can lead to a lack of transparency and accountability, leading to an erosion of trust in institutions and undermining the democratic process. The decline in press freedom has far-reaching implications for democracy, as a free press is vital for holding those in power accountable and ensuring an informed citizenry. A deterioration in press freedom can lead to a lack of transparency and accountability, which can erode trust in institutions and undermine the democratic process.

The global press freedom situation has deteriorated, with the percentage of countries classed as overall "good" or "satisfactory" declining from 29% in 2023 to 25% in 2024. The number of countries in the lowest category, "very serious," rose from 31 to 36, representing half the global population. Political pressure on journalism has increased the most, with the average political indicator score among all countries declining by 7.6 points.

"Journalists must be able to operate and report free of pressure and intimidation, to scrutinize political campaigns and records in office, and to help provide the public with the information necessary to make informed democratic choices," the partners stated.

The adoption of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), the European Anti-SLAPP Directive, and the Council of Europe's Recommendation on countering the use of SLAPPs has provided Europe-wide legislative protection for media freedom. However, online attacks have risen, making up 25% of all incidents recorded by MFRR partners on the Mapping Media Freedom platform.

Coordinated smear campaigns and discrediting of journalists, often led by political groups seeking to silence journalists, have increased, particularly around election periods. The MFRR partners call on policymakers to ensure a free and pluralistic media environment. Policymakers must ensure a free and pluralistic media environment, without which the democratic process is fatally compromised," the partners emphasized.

As Poland continues to make progress in press freedom, it serves as an example for other European countries facing challenges. However, the overall decline in global press freedom and the rise of online attacks and political pressure on journalists highlight the need for continued efforts to protect and promote media freedom worldwide.

Key Takeaways

• Poland improves press freedom ranking, despite overall decline in Europe.
• Over 1,000 media freedom violations reported in EU Member States and candidate countries.
• Press freedom decline erodes trust in institutions and undermines democracy.
• Poland's progress attributed to reforming government and end of political stranglehold on public media.
• Global press freedom situation deteriorates, with 36 countries in "very serious" category.