CP

Canada went through a "dark age" for press freedom during the government of Stephen Harper, but "only time will tell" if things will improve under the Trudeau government, an international media watchdog said Wednesday. Canada fell 10 spots to 18th place in the latest ranking of press freedom from Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF), while the U.S. rose eight spots to 41st place. "With mounting concern over the government’s 'growing secrecy' and rampant bureaucracy in executing Access to Information (ATI) requests, Stephen Harper’s reign was considered a 'dark age' for journalism," RSF said in its report. "Current Prime Minister Trudeau has strongly advocated for a 'free media' but only time will tell if his promises will be fulfilled."

Worldwide, media freedom has suffered a "deep and disturbing decline'' due to pressure from governments and businesses, the watchdog group said. Many of the world's leaders have developed "a paranoia'' about journalism and are clamping down on the media, while coverage in privately-owned outlets is increasingly shaped by corporate interests. "The climate of fear results in a growing aversion to debate and pluralism,'' said Christophe Deloire, secretary-general of Reporters Without Borders. "Journalism worthy of the name must be defended against the increase in propaganda and media content that is made to order or sponsored by vested interests.'' While Europe has the freest media, according to the report, some countries such as Poland fell sharply on the press freedom index by tightening government control. In Hungary, the government has also sought to impose restrictions on press freedoms. Journalists in the Middle East and Africa fell victim to terrorism, armed conflict and intimidation by authorities. In Latin America, reporters were constrained by organized crime, violence and corruption. In the United States, they faced cyber-surveillance.