Middle East & North Africa

Kuwait

{This graph represents scores that have been modified by CIMA so that higher scores indicate a better media situation. It is intended to show trends over time; each index measures significantly different factors of press freedom. To see an explanation for how this graph was created, click here.}

IREX Score: 2.14	[IREX Methodology]
{Higher is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to 4.00}

IREX Description:

Kuwait ranks high in regional classifications for its relative media freedoms, but its status is somewhat insecure and fluctuates annually. In 2009, Kuwait led the Arab world in press freedom, earning a ranking of 60th in the Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF) World Press Freedom Index. Yet serious concerns about self-censorship, bans on media outlets, and the risk of criminal penalties for journalists threaten Kuwait's standing.

Panelists also described the impact of the global financial crisis on Kuwait's media sector in 2009. Following the proliferation of newspapers in 2007-2008, no new newspapers appeared in 2009. Furthermore, publication of Al Sawt halted abruptly, leaving dozens of journalists unemployed.

Read more on IREX’s site…

Freedom House Score: 57 (Partly Free)	[Freedom House Methodology]
{Lower is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to 100}

RSF Score: 23.75	[RSF Methodology]
{Lower is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to ~120}

Reporters Without Borders Description:

Kuwait holds first place among Gulf states in terms of respect for individual freedoms, and particularly in respect of press freedom. Kuwaiti media are undoubtedly the freest in the region and have been closely covering tensions between the government and the parliamentary opposition that have shaken the emirate for more than two years.

Freedom of expression has been given a further boost by the liberalisation of the broadcast sector and the creation of numerous satellite television channels as a result of several press law reforms. Parliament has, since the beginning of 2009, been debating the possibility of setting up a 24-hour news channel similar to al-Jazeera and al-Arabiyya.
The launch of such a channel is seen as a means of furthering the state’s influence.

Kuwaiti legislation has become the most liberal in the region, since press law reform in 2006 that abolished the use of prison sentences. Moreover, a newspaper can only be closed down on the order of a court.

There are effectively some “red lines” that the emirate’s journalists cannot cross. The person of the head of state and members of the royal family or people holding key posts all remain sensitive subjects that are not raised. The level of self-censorship among Kuwaiti journalists is still quite high.

Middle East & North Africa

Kuwait

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