Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has released a new report analyzing the situation in Arizona, Florida, Nevada and Pennsylvania across five categories—political, legal, socio-cultural, economic, and safety — using a survey completed by journalists and media experts in each state.
It was found that none are a model of press freedom. Journalists and media experts in these states are highly concerned about the media’s dire economic situation, a lack of responsiveness from government officials, and growing hostility from local political leaders. RSF is calling for specific measures by lawmakers to address these shortcomings, as well as implementation of a broader advocacy plan to strengthen the climate for journalism across the country.
Survey respondents were nearly unanimous (94%) in their assessment that public officials stall or ignore public records requests.
66% of journalists and media experts agreed that it was “difficult to earn a living wage as a journalist.”
“RSF’s report shows journalists and media experts in swing states have serious concerns about their industry as we approach the 2024 election – economic worries, increasingly vicious political attacks, stonewalling by public officials, and more. There can be no democracy without press freedom, so it’s critically important to understand the issues confronting the news media in the places that are most pivotal in American presidential elections. RSF hopes that this report will provide a starting point for all Americans to demand improvements in their states’ media ecosystems,” reads the report.
The report reveals that Nevada received the highest marks across the board. Arizona has the worst political score of the four states analyzed, a reflection of anti-media hostility from local political officials. Florida’s status as a massive news desert directly impacts the state’s press freedom climate, with over 300,000 Floridians lacking a local news source. The state also lacks a press shield law and its anti-SLAPP law is very vague, leaving journalists open to risks. Pennsylvania media outlets struggle economically and journalists are unable to earn a living wage. They also face some of the most hostility from the public and elected officials.
