Ahmed Zubair
What is Media Harassment.
Media have a big role in contributing to the economic and political development of citizens in any country in the world. It creates a broad range of information and communication to encourage citizens on the various developmental issues in their country. Media is an important factor in promoting democracy and the rule of law only if it will be given the opportunity of freedom of expression and to deliver messages to the people without being worried or intimidated by the authorities of the respective countries or any individuals that have the authority to prevent information from the people. In different Countries media freedom is a controversial issue, on one side right to information and freedom of expression is provided on other side media regulations and Press laws are ready to curb the media, A free country requires its citizens to get information and communication on the development issues of their respective countries, to promote democracy, good governance and law enforcement. Media is the key to removing citizens from the poorest of poverty and putting them into the economic development, Different laws has been used by governments to punish journalists and news outlets, and some have been applying them with greater determination, Both governments and private individuals continue to restrict media freedom through the broad or disproportionate application of laws that forbid inciting hatred commenting on sensitive topics such as religion or ethnicity, or “risking national security.” Libel and defamation laws are also commonly used to silence the independent media. For example, Saudi Arabia has one of the largest numbers of jailed journalists worldwide, as critics are
jailed under anti-terrorism and insult laws, The misuse of licensing and
regulatory frameworks has emerged as a key method of media control in a number of semi democratic and authoritarian setting ,Authoritarian regimes have increasingly used bogus legalistic exercises to narrow the space for independent broadcasting, effectively countering an earlier trend of growth in the number of private radio and television outlets. Broadcast media are key because in many countries, they reach the largest audience.Control over new means of news circulation particularly internet-based social media, has become a priority for authoritarian governments. As media delivery systems have expanded from traditional print formats and worldly broadcasting to satellite television, the internet, and mobile telephones, authoritarian governments have increased efforts to exert control over the new means of communication as well as the news outlets that employ them. Efforts to block trans-national news became particularly common, when the power of these media to effect political change became even more apparent. Among other cases, authoritarian governments employed techniques ranging from information blackouts in the state media, like in China. Worsening violence against the press is forcing journalists into self-censorship or exile, while continuing exemption for such crimes encourages new attacks. The level of violence and physical harassment directed at the press by both official and no state actors remains a key concern in a number of countries
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