UAE Among World’s Worst Countries for Press Freedom in 2024, Report Finds
Reporters Without Borders Ranks UAE 164th Globally Amid Crackdowns on Journalists, Expats, and Online Expression.
Watan-The United Arab Emirates ranked among the 20 worst countries globally in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, recording the second sharpest decline compared to last year and landing at 164th out of 180 nations, according to the annual report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
The report attributes the UAE’s continued decline in press freedom to the tightening restrictions on freedom of expression across the country.
According to RSF, Emirati authorities enforce strict censorship on both local and foreign media and actively target dissenting voices, including expatriate journalists who may face harassment, detention, or deportation.
The UAE’s media landscape is dominated by government-linked outlets such as Al Khaleej, published in Sharjah, and Al Ittihad, funded by the Abu Dhabi Media Group. English-language papers like Gulf News and The National are also widely circulated but operate under heavy state oversight.
UAE’s Repressive Laws and Digital Surveillance Undermine Press Freedom Despite Economic Growth
While the UAE’s constitution formally guarantees freedom of expression, RSF notes that laws like the 1980 Press and Publications Law and the 2021 Cybercrime Law are used to censor media—especially content critical of the government, royal families, religion, or the economy.
The report emphasizes that a culture of loyalty to the ruling family dominates Emirati society, where criticism is often perceived as disloyalty. This leads to widespread self-censorship among journalists and ordinary citizens alike.
RSF accuses Abu Dhabi’s authorities of intensive digital surveillance of journalists and bloggers, who can face charges such as defamation, insulting the state, or spreading false information—offenses that carry long prison sentences.
The organization also points out that despite the economic prosperity in Gulf states like the UAE, there has been no corresponding progress in press freedom, which remains severely restricted by repressive laws and political pressure.
The Middle East and North Africa region, according to the report, continues to be one of the most dangerous areas for journalism, plagued by authoritarian regimes and economic instability.
