Kuwait just scored it’s lowest ranking ever since the World Press Freedom Index was created back in 2002. In the latest index, Kuwait came in 104th place out of 180 countries, a far cry from when Kuwait placed 60th back in 2009. According to Reporters without Borders who put this list together every year, Kuwait scored badly this year because of the new cyber-crime law that took effect in January of last year:
The vaguely-worded provisions of a cyber-crime law that took effect in January 2016 pose a threat to bloggers and online journalists who post any critical content. A new electronic media law adopted the same month forces them to apply to the government for a license. [Source]
Here is Kuwait’s current ranking compared to some of our neighboring countries:
99 – Lebanon
104 – Kuwait
119 – UAE
123 – Qatar
126 – Oman
138 – Jordan
158 – Iraq
161 – Egypt
164 – Bahrain
165 – Iran
168 – Saudi Arabia
For the full list and more information, check out the Reporters without Borders [Website]
23 replies on “Kuwait Scores Terribly in World Press Freedom Index”
Last word I use is freedom in Kuwait. Its a very controlled environment.
Have you seen us compared to the other GCC countries? Everything this country does is to protect its citizens. Why are you still here if you think it’s a controlled environment?
There are people who are complaining that Kuwait is building too many museums, there is one girl I got into a discussion with who was complaining on why Al Shaheed Park is outdoor and not indoor with AC. People who complain are always going to find something to complain about…
…Why doesn’t she just go to a mall
thats what i said
LOL … man where do you meet these people.
I get the whole patriotism thing and all, but getting defensive when someone criticizes the country and to suggest leaving the country is such an exhausted argument.
There’s a difference between pride of heritage and acknowledging the country’s current state. It’s possible to criticize and love a country at the same time – it means you want to hold it up to a higher standard. Criticism is constructive, and to counter that with misplaced patriotism is self-centered… and a form of resistance to change. If nothing changes, then nothing changes.
what would you like to do in Kuwait but cant do. or give me an example.
You can’t criticize the Emir, his family or his allies according to the report:
The vaguely-worded provisions of a cyber-crime law that took effect in January 2016 pose a threat to bloggers and online journalists who post any critical content. A new electronic media law adopted the same month forces them to apply to the government for a license. The UN Human Rights Council already voiced concern in 2015 about “excessive restrictions on freedom of expression contained in the Press and Publication Law and related legislation.”
The restrictions are reflected in online censorship and in arrests and convictions of bloggers and online activists who are accused of destabilizing the countries if they make any disparaging comment about the Emir, Sheikh Sabah IV, his family or its allies. Al Watan TV’s closure in January for “anti-government” comments sent a very clear signal to Kuwait’s dissidents.
If the journalists criticized the government harshly, im with the gov.
but if the criticized politly (“i do not like how they function” for eg) im with the journalists.
what is considered harshly? everyone has a different opinion on what harsh is and so you’re leaving things in a grey area. Harshness/language used etc.. shouldn’t be the determining factor on if you should be imprisoned or not.
But don’t you get it Mark? thats the whole point, they want vague meaningless laws so that they can get away with anything they please.
But you still can’t criticize the Emir since 2009!
Is it just me but I never see anything about the operations in Yemen?
correct
Beware! Criticizing a neighboring ally could land you in jail.
An example of why we’re #104.
Honestly, when i see these kind of posts, such as Kuwait has little freedom or this one or any otger. i do not feel ‘opressed’ in Kuwait. Im living my life here the way i want.
This is index is for freedom of the press, not personal freedom.
How this may be reported in the news here:
“Kuwait best in the GCC in terms of Press Freedom”
Yo I don’t read news, it’s all copy/past we have the laziest journalist,
like one time last year by retareded tweep he put a link to old news in 2012, other people who are retarded they copy/past it and retweet it, till some journalist also retarded copied the article then post it in the news, other newspapers kept copying it, even the one made the article in 2012 copied it and post it without clue.
then next day they apologized for it.
thus this summarize how does newspaper work here, first stop being lazy, then talk to me about freedom of speech.
its no difference than blogging
This year is 2017. So when did the cyber-crime law took effect, 2016 or 2017?
2016
There is no way UAE press freedom comes behind Kuwait. UAE press freedom is worse than Saudia Arabia press freedom.