Apr 28, 2017

US press freedom could be at risk in 2017

Mr. T in DC / Flickr Creative Commons

Calling the past year the "worst year globally for press freedom in more than a decade," Freedom House announced the annual alterations to its World Press Freedom Map at the Newseum this morning, revealing the United States' potentially declining press freedom.

The Trump effect: Our "institutions face tough tests depending on the new administration, which has shown disregard for the accountability of the press."

Another "country to watch" in 2017: Russia, which "suffocates virtually all independent voices" and puts the "highest production values onto propaganda."

Losers: The Maldives downgraded from "partly free" to "not free" and Poland downgraded from "free" to "partly free"

Other countries to watch in 2017:

Turkey: It "may continue its sharp decline," especially in light of the referendum to strengthen presidential powers.
Kenya: Its "vibrant media community" is "under pressure from security laws."
The Philippines: The country is facing a "climate of fear" under Duterte's leadership.
Hong Kong: The situation is "not promising" due to growing Chinese influence.

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Data: The Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins; Map: Andrew Witherspoon/Axios

President Trump signed a $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief package on Friday, as infections in the U.S. topped 100,000 and more cities experience spikes of the novel coronavirus.

The big picture: The U.S. has the most COVID-19 cases in the world, exceeding China and Italy, per data from Johns Hopkins. A second wave of American cities, including Boston, Detroit, New Orleans and Philadelphia, are reporting influxes of cases.

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Italy on Friday reported 969 COVID-19 deaths over a 24-hour period, marking the deadliest single-day for the country since the global outbreak began, according to data from the Health Ministry.

The big picture: The U.S. now leads the world in confirmed coronavirus cases, as the number of global cases nears 600,000. Governments around the world are trying to curb the medical and financial fallout of COVID-19, as infections surge across Europe and the U.S.

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Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Global: Total confirmed cases as of 9 p.m. ET: 595,800 — Total deaths: 27,324 — Total recoveries: 131,006.
U.S.: Leads the world in cases. Total confirmed cases as of 9 p.m. ET: 103,942 — Total deaths: 1,689 — Total recoveries: 870.
Federal government latest: President Trump signed the $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill to provide businesses and U.S. workers economic relief.
State updates: Nearly 92% of cities do not have adequate medical supplies — New York is trying to nearly triple its hospital capacity in less than a month.
World updates: Italy reported 969 coronavirus deaths on Friday, the country's deadliest day.
Business latest: President Trump authorized the use of the Defense Production Act to direct General Motors to build ventilators for those affected by COVID-19. White House trade adviser Peter Navarro has been appointed to enforce the act.
🏰 1 Disney thing: Both Disney World and Disneyland theme parks in the U.S. are closed until further notice.
What should I do? Answers about the virus from Axios experts — What to know about social distancing.
Other resources: CDC on how to avoid the virus, what to do if you get it.

Subscribe to Mike Allen's Axios AM to follow our coronavirus coverage each morning from your inbox.

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