Now more than ever, journalistic freedom is essential for democracy. Around the world, journalists are being pressured and threatened to avoid certain topics, putting both their safety and the people’s right to be informed at risk.
For example, during the early stages of the war in Ukraine, Russia passed a new law, Article 207.3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, stating that journalists who reported “false information” about the war could face up to 15 years in jail. “False information” included using words such as “invasion” and “war” to describe the situation. Many of the journalists fled the country in fear for their lives.
There are so many things wrong with this law. First, it takes away an essential freedom of journalism: the freedom of expression. Second, it is limiting what knowledge the people of the world can educate themselves on and their ability to form their own individual opinion of the conflict. This is directly limiting the people’s power in a democracy, with citizens lacking the information to make the best decisions for themselves and their country. This is a prime example of the government protecting their nation’s image over the people.
This law is just the beginning of the dangers to come around the world, and especially in conflict areas, for journalists. If we live in a world where journalists cannot speak the truth, then the world will completely collapse and create a place where only one opinion is accepted. If every person has the same fixed opinion, then individuality will disappear in front of our eyes.
Since this law was passed in 2022, other countries such as Turkey, China and Egypt have also followed in the steps of Russia by taking actions against journalistic freedom. Even in America, a country that prides itself on being an equal democracy run by the people, there have been restrictions put in place for journalists, such as certain journalists that are not allowed into the White House for press conferences. This continues to separate the people and the government, which poses a threat to the people.
“It is impossible for the public to get access to reliable information without the work of journalists, but they are the most threatened during times of conflict. But the safety of journalists goes beyond their physical safety: the ability to report truthfully and without censorship is often seen as a threat by authorities in peacetime as well as wartime. Protecting press freedom remains important in order to protect the cornerstone of free and trustworthy information,” said Annina Claesson, a former United Nations representative who worked on projects to protect journalistic rights.
It is in the power of the youth to stand up against large governments who are trying to silence the voices of the public and limit our knowledge.