Infographic：Freedom of the press
【明報專訊】Journalism, described by Reporters Without Borders as the ''main vaccine against disinformation'', is of the utmost importance to society. The 2021 World Press Freedom Index was released in April 2021. It? press freedom in 180 countries and territories annually, and finds that the coronavirus pandemic has been used as pretexts to block journalists' access to information sources and reporting this year.
◆Which country or region ranks first in the Index?
Norway. Finland ranks second and Sweden third.
◆What are the rankings of Hong Kong and China?
80 and 177 correspondingly. The national security law and its potential intervention in the media are said to be impediments to free press in Hong Kong, while the large-scale arrests of reporters and the tightened control of social media are said to have obstructed free press in China.
(See the tables)
◆Has media freedom improved or deteriorated compared to last year?
Deteriorated. Although the level of media freedom worldwide is only 0.3% lower in the 2021 Index than it was in 2020, it has deteriorated by 12% since the index was created in 2013.
◆How can we defend press freedom? Do you constantly validate the information you receive?
◆Gear up
Press freedom has improved because journalists need to cover the coronavirus pandemic situation.
(True/ False)
(Answer on next text)
(Source: The 2021 World Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders)
■Glossary
evaluate (v) 評估
potential (adj)潛在的
impediment (n) 阻礙
validate (v) 核實
[Smarties' Power English 第314期]
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