Freedom House: Press Freedom in the Middle East and North Africa

The Middle East and North Africa continued to show the lowest regional ratings, with no countries or territories rated Free in 2008, 4 (21 percent) rated Partly Free, and 15 (79 percent) rated Not Free. In contrast to the positive changes in 2007, the average region wide score fell slightly this year, with negative movement noted especially in the political and economic categories.

Although transnational broadcast media and internet-based forms of information dissemination have had a positive impact, media environments in the region are generally constrained by extremely restrictive laws concerning libel and defamation, the insult of monarchs and public figures, and emergency rule. Of long-standing concern are Libya, Iran, Syria, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia, where journalists and bloggers faced harsh repercussions for expressing independent views during the year.

In terms of numerical movements, scores for most countries in the region were stagnant in 2008. However, Israel, the only country in the group to be consistently rated Free, moved into the Partly Free range due to the heightened conflict in Gaza, which triggered increased travel restrictions on both Israeli and foreign reporters; official attempts to influence media coverage of the conflict within Israel; and greater self-censorship and biased reporting, particularly during the outbreak of open war in late December.

Negative movement was also seen in the Israeli-Occupied Territories/Palestinian Authority (which includes both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip), which saw a two-point decline due to worsening intimidation by both major political factions that restricts critical and independent coverage and the diversity of viewpoints available. Journalists faced pressure and threats from all sides, including from Israeli forces present in some parts of the territories.

On a positive note, Iraq,which is still one of the mostdangerous countries in the world for media workers, saw a numerical improvement as a result of the Kurdistan regional parliament’s passage of a media law giving journalists unprecedented freedoms and eliminating prison terms for defamation cases. In addition, a partial improvement in the security situation enhanced the ability of journalists—especially foreign journalists—to move around the country and cover the news.

Libya (2009)

Libyan media remain among the most tightly controlled in the world. While Libyan law provides for freedom of speech and of the press within the confines of “the principles of the Revolution,” the government severely limits the rights of the media in practice, and journalists who violate the harsh press codes can be imprisoned or sentenced to death.

The press avoids publishing any material that could be deemed offensive or threatening, particularly to Islam, national security, territorial integrity, or Colonel Muammar al-Qadhafi, the country’s leader.

Those who criticize the government from outside the country, such as in foreign-based publications or websites, may be arrested upon entering Libya. There have been several cases over the past few years in which the government has harassed or imprisoned Libyans who denounced it on Europe-based websites. A vast network of secret police and informers works to ensure that state critics are known to the regime, fostering a high level of self-censorship.

In 2008, journalist Jamal al-Haji was sentenced to 12 years in prison. He and 13 others were detained for planning a peaceful demonstration in the capital to commemorate the 11 people who died during a clash with the police in February 2006. Sentences for the other defendants ranged from 6 to 25 years. Separately, human rights activist Fathi al-Jahmi remained in custody throughout the year despite his deteriorating health. He was sentenced to prison in 2004 after calling for a free press and free elections.

The government owns and strictly controls all print and broadcast media. The General Press Institute owns three daily newspapers (Al-Jamahiriya, Al-Shams, and Al-Fajr al-Jadeed), while the government-supported Movement of Revolutionary Committees owns the fourth daily, Al-Zahf al-Akhder.

The first steps toward private media were made in 2007, when a subsidiary of the Qadhafi Development Foundation was allowed to launch a satellite television station, a radio station, and two daily newspapers. However, the foundation was established by Saif al-Islam al-Qadhafi, the son of Muammar al-Qadhafi, which casts doubt on the independence and truly private nature of these outlets.

No foreign publications are available, and although satellite television is accessible, the government occasionally blocks foreign programming. Popular pan-Arab satellite television stations such as Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya do not have local correspondents covering Libya.

Internet penetration remains relatively low; just over 4 percent of the population used the medium in 2008. Nevertheless, the government reportedly monitors internet communications, regularly blocks opposition websites, occasionally blocks other sites, including those that support minority rights. The country’s only internet service provider is government owned.

Dec. 24, 2009