145 How many of your guesses from 14 were correct? Were you surprised by any of the countries mentioned in the article? Why?/Why not? Discuss your thoughts in small groups. SPEAKING 16 Many governments have stepped up their control over social media and the internet, restricting access, blocking accounts, and suppressing messages carrying news and information. Investigative journalists who say what they think on social media in Vietnam are systematically locked up. In China, in addition to detaining more journalists than any other country in the world, the government continues to exercise strict control over information channels, implementing censorship to regulate online content and restrict the spread of information regarded as sensitive or contrary to the party line. The overall decline in press freedom has also affected the trio at the top of the World Press Freedom Index. Norway, still in first place, has seen a fall in its political score, and Ireland, where politicians have subjected media outlets to intimidation through courts of law, has ceded its leading position in the European Union to Denmark, followed by Sweden. Austria’s press freedom index score has continuously decreased over the last 10 years, and in 2024 the RSF noted a number of key issues contributing to this, including the small and concentrated media market, harassment of journalists, and financial difficulties for quality media outlets. Austria was also the last EU state to introduce a freedom of information law in September 2025 – a law already facing heavy criticism for not fully guaranteeing access to information held by public institutions and stateowned companies. The three Asian countries at the bottom of the Index – Vietnam, China and North Korea – have ceded their positions to three countries whose political scores have plummeted: Afghanistan, which has persecuted journalists incessantly since the Taliban returned to power; Syria and Eritrea. The last two countries have become lawless zones for the media, with a record number of journalists detained, missing or held hostage. While the most severe crackdowns on journalism remain concentrated in conflict zones, growing political pressure and the cutting of funds in democratic countries signal that threats to press freedom are no longer confined to authoritarian regimes – they are becoming a global issue. 0 According to a report, many governments are harming . press freedom 1 It’s the governments’ job to ensure everyone has access to . 2 New computer tools are used to change the outcome of . 3 In one country, reporters who publicly voice their opinions are . 4 The Chinese authorities block news that is critical of them through . (Give one answer.) 5 The threat of legal action against reporters has led to a lower international ranking of . 6 One country is criticised for its inadequate legal framework on . 7 A change in government has led to a large drop in the ranking of . Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv
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