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indicator , Ukraine ( 61st ) has moved up 18 places .
In the Americas , the inability of journalists to cover subjects related to organised crime , corruption or the environment for fear of reprisals poses a major problem . The percentage of countries whose situation is classified as “ satisfactory ” ( yellow ) has drastically dropped from 36 % in 2023 to 21 % in 2024 . One of the world ’ s biggest economic powers , the United States , has fallen ten places . In almost all of the countries in South America , the press freedom situation is now “ problematic ” – a deterioration due in part to the election of press freedom predators such as Javier Milei and governments ’ inability to reduce violence against journalists . Mexico continues to be the most dangerous country for journalists , with 37 killed since 2019 .
Sub-Saharan Africa was very affected by political violence during major elections in 2023 . More than 8 % of African countries are now coloured red on the chart , twice as many as in 2023 . Nigeria , Togo and Madagascar have been hit by waves of repression of reporters . The region is marked by the decline in security in several Sahel countries – Niger , Burkina Faso and Mali .
In the Asia-Pacific region – the world ’ s second most difficult region for practising journalism – five countries are among the world ’ s ten most dangerous countries for media personnel : Myanmar ( 171st ), China ( 172nd ), North Korea ( 177th ), Vietnam ( 174th ) and Afghanistan ( 178th ). But , unlike last year , none of the region ’ s countries is in the Index ’ s top 15 . Australia has dropped 12 places and is now ranked 39th yet is still well ahead of the United States .
In the Middle East and North Africa , the situation is “ very serious ” in nearly half of the countries . The United Arab Emirates joins the eight other countries in the red zone on the map : Yemen , Saudi Arabia , Iran , Palestine , Iraq , Bahrain , Syria and Egypt . Palestine , occupied and under bombardment by the Israeli army , and the deadliest country for journalists , is also at the bottom of the Index . Qatar is now the region ’ s only country where the situation is not classified either as “ difficult ” or “ very serious .”
In all regions of the world , upcoming elections portend very strong pressure on journalists , even those that claim to be just ‘ digital creators ’, it ’ s a factor that needs to be considered even if you are just documenting your travels . TRAVERSE
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