- Business Insider Africa presents the 10 countries in Africa with the worst freedom press in 2024.
- This list is courtesy of the World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
- Egypt ranks number one on the list.
ADVERTISEMENT
10 countries in Africa with the worst press freedom in 2024
It is virtually impossible to emphasize the risks associated with limited press freedom in Africa. The effects are numerous and profound, ranging from straining economic development and escalating social tensions to eroding democracy and accountability. Unfortunately, this has been a prevalent problem on the African continent, where politics interferes with a reporter’s ability to spread the right information.
10 countries in Africa with the worst freedom press in 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
Recommended articles
One of the most immediate consequences of restricted journalistic freedom is a loss of accountability. Without a free press to analyze the activities of people in power, there is little to dissuade corruption and misconduct In the absence of accountability, politicians are empowered to behave with impunity, cementing their positions of power and plundering their countries' resources for personal advantage.
This is the dilemma faced in many African countries, where those who are charged with protecting the press have taken to oppressing instead.
According to the latest annual World Press Freedom Index produced by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), out of the five indicators used to create the index, it is the political indicator that has fallen the most, registering a global average fall of 7.6 points.
ADVERTISEMENT
As a result, many African journalists are faced with censorship, intimidation, and violence.
As more than half the world's population goes to the polls in 2024, RSF is warning of a worrying trend revealed by the 2024 World Press Freedom Index: a decline in the political indicator, one of five indicators detailed in the Index. States and other political forces are playing a decreasing role in protecting press freedom,” Anne Bocandé the RSF editorial director stated.
When the press is muzzled, it creates a breeding ground for misinformation, propaganda, and unchecked abuse of power. With that said here are the 10 countries in Africa with the worst freedom press in 2024. The lower the index the worst the press freedom.
| Rank | Country | Press freedom index | Global rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Egypt | 25.1 | 170th |
| 2. | Djibouti | 30.14 | 161st |
| 3. | Sudan | 35.73 | 149th |
| 4. | Somalia | 39.4 | 145th |
| 5. | Rwanda | 40.54 | 144th |
| 6. | Libya | 40.59 | 143rd |
| 7. | Ethiopia | 41.37 | 141st |
| 8. | Algeria | 41.98 | 139th |
| 9. | South Sudan | 42.57 | 136th |
| 10. | Cameroon | 44.95 | 130th |
FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA
ADVERTISEMENT
Recommended articles
Tanzania to establish its first space agency and satellite
Top 5 major African cities where paying rent is better than buying a house
Russia partners with Comoros to tackle conflicts in Africa
Nigeria will have no need to import petrol from next month - Dangote
The future of slot online: Trends to watch in the coming years
Nigeria challenges US over arms sales ban and reliance on fake news
Top 5 major African cities with the best climate situation
Top 5 African countries to visit in your lifetime
