Two major global indices on press freedoms were released last week. The 2017 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Freedom of the Press 2017 by Freedom House.

World Press Freedom Index ranks 180 countries according to the level of freedom available to journalists. It is a snapshot of the media freedom situation based on an evaluation of pluralism, independence of the media, quality of legislative framework and safety of journalists in each country.

Freedom of the Press, an annual report on media independence around the world, assesses the degree of print, broadcast, and digital media freedom in 199 countries and territories.

Why are these annual report cards on press freedoms important for Armenia and the world?

As watchdogs, the media hold political decision makers accountable for their actions. Media as the fourth estate and an institution of checks and balances, monitor compliance with democratic laws, values and societal norms. Since mass media themselves cannot formally sanction misconduct by corrupt public officials (such as the legislative, executive and judicial branches), they do so indirectly. Hence, they assist prosecutorial institutions by investigating and reporting cases of corruption. In most cases, this triggers investigations and convictions of corrupt behavior.*

Mass media also provide a forum or platform to voice complaints and help shape public opinion. By exposing corruption and providing necessary information, media can also help create a climate of transparency within societies.

Countless studies and examples have shown that a fluorishing free media are one of the pillars of democracy and play a vital role in curbing corruption.

The most recent global exposure of corruption, the Panama Papers, led to monumental shifts in a number of countries.

Conducted by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) and the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, in partnership with more than 100 other news organizations, (including the Armenian investigative media organization Hetq), the Panama Papers leaked 11.5 million documents detailing secret financial and attorney-client information for more than 214,00 offshore entities. It resulted in the resignation of top officials, police raids and several other investigations. Iceland’s prime minister, Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson, was forced to resign almost immediately after the Panama Papers revealed that his family had sheltered money offshore.

In an April 3, 2017 article about the impact of the Panama Papers, the ICIJ said: "Governments in more than 70 countries have launched over 150 investigations, inquiries, audits and probes into the affairs of thousands of people and corporations linked to Panama Papers. Just last month, Malta’s tax office announced it had recovered more than $10 million as a result of investigations sparked by the Panama Papers and another ICIJ project, Swiss Leaks."

A media initiative like the Panama Papers highlights that free mass media, especially the Internet, can play an important role in combatting and limiting corruption.

However, even when media do expose corruption, it doesn't necessary translate into a criminal investigation and prosecution. When Hetq exposed the involvement of Mihran Poghosyan, Armenia's Chief Compulsory Enforcement Officer in the Panama Papers scandal, not only did it not result in his prosecution, he went on to win a seat in the recent parliamentary election on the ruling Republican Party of Armenia list.

As important and critical the role of the media are, often times their work is restricted and can serve to indirectly bolster or protect the sometimes powerful interests of those who govern, especially in totalitarian states. Today, even media in strong democracies are facing unprecedented pressure. In order for media to function properly and carry out their prescribed role in society, they must be free of censorship. intimdation, and prosecutions, all of which invariably lead to self-censorship.

It is within this context that these indices on media freedoms are important to follow. EVN Report presents the results for Armenia and the region.