Freedom of the Press in a Post-September 11 World: A Global Perspective

Since the attack on the United States on September 11, most governments around the world have tried to decrease the likelihood of terrorists attacking their own countries or working within their own countries. Lawmakers have passed new legislation to control citizens’ activities. Many of these laws have tread upon human rights, including the right to a free press, which a majority of countries around the world have constitutionally protected. These new circumstances combined with the lack of respect and protection by police and government officials around the globe have created an unsafe world for journalists. The year 2004 will be remembered as one of the worst years for those in the media. The outlook continues to be dim unless watchdog organizations and governments actually comply with their constitutions to make the world safer for journalists, which cannot be done until perpetrators of violence are brought to justice. Most of these findings were found through various watchdog organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists, Reporters Without Borders, Freedom House, International Press Institute and the World Association of Newspapers. These organizations release reports on the current status of press fi-eedom and continuous problems seen throughout the globe. Other information was collected through various newspapers and magazine reports, including The Economist, UK’s The Guardian and The Boston Globe