CPJ names global Press Oppressors amid Trump's fake news awards
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 9 January 2018
Join our WhatsApp channel
The Committee to Protect Journalists has named world leaders who oppress the press amid President Trump's announcement of his Fake Media awards. The list highlights the urgent issue of press freedom and the increasing number of jailed journalists worldwide.Summary
NEW YORK - As U.S. President Donald Trump announces his “Fake Media” awards, the Committee to Protect Journalists names its global Press Oppressors — world leaders who use rhetoric, legal action, and censorship to try to silence their critics.
The list features leaders from China, Egypt, Myanmar, Poland, Russia, Turkey, and the United States who have gone out of their way to attack the press and undermine the norms that support freedom of the media at a time when a record number of journalists are being jailed for their work.
“It’s staggering to see the extent to which some world leaders are so fearful of their critics and the truth,” said CPJ Advocacy Director Courtney Radsch, from Washington, D.C. “At a time when the number of journalists in prison globally is at a record high the failure of President Donald Trump and other leaders to stand up for press freedom risks weakening democracy and human rights.”
The Global Press Oppressors list includes four categories as well as an award for the Overall Achievement in Undermining Global Press Freedom:
Most Thin-skinned:
President Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan, Turkey
Runner-Up: President Donald Trump, United States
Most Outrageous Use of Terror Laws Against the Press:
President Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan, Turkey
Runner-Up: President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Egypt
Tightest Grip on Media*:
President Xi Jinping, China
Runner-Up: President Vladimir Putin, Russia
*This category excludes countries with no independent media, such as North Korea and Eritrea.
Biggest Backslider in Press Freedom:
State Counselor and de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar
Runner-Up: President Andrzej Duda, Poland
Overall Achievement in Undermining Global Press Freedom:
President Donald Trump, United States
(A CPJ media release)
Key Points
- CPJ identifies global leaders attacking press freedom.
- Trump's Fake Media awards coincide with CPJ's list release.
- Critics include leaders from Turkey, China, and the U.S.
- Record high number of journalists jailed globally.
- Categories include Most Thin-skinned and Biggest Backslider in Press Freedom.
Relevant Topics
Ask AI: Understand this story your way
AI EnabledDig deeper, ask anything — get instant context, background, and clarity.
Disclaimer: This feature is powered by AI and is intended to help readers explore and understand news stories more easily. While we strive for accuracy, AI-generated responses may occasionally be incomplete or reflect limitations in the underlying model. This feature does not represent the editorial views of JournalismPakistan. For our full, verified reporting, please refer to the original article.
