Reporters without Borders Preparing World Press Freedom Index 2016

The Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is preparing to publish the World Press Freedom Index for 2016.

In a press release, the organization said that the general trend in the world testifies to the ever-present fear and pressure, to which is added the increasing control of the media by the government agencies and individuals.

Index 2016 represents 180 countries. Europe (19.8 points) remains the area most free for journalists. It is followed (by a wide margin) by Africa (36.9), which this time is ahead of the American continent (37.1).

Latin America is pulled down by a growing number of attacks on journalists. This is followed by Asia (43.8) and Eastern Europe and Central Asia (48.4). Middle East and North Africa (50.8) remains the region where the rights of journalists are respected least of all.

The top line of the Index is occupied by three Nordic countries: Finland (the first since 2010), the Netherlands, and Norway. Among the significant changes in the ranking is the improvement of the situation in Tunisia (96th, +30) by reducing the number of attacks on journalists and reducing lawsuits against them and Ukraine (107th, +22) through the hushed conflict.

On the other hand, we see the fall of Poland's ranking (47th, -29) in connection with an appeal to the media to abide by the order, proclaimed by the ultra-conservative party. Significantly dropped the ranking of Tajikistan, an authoritarian regime of which is increasingly tightening the screws (150th, -34).

At the end of the index, as always, is the infernal trio: Turkmenistan (178th), North Korea (179th) and Eritrea (180th).

"Unfortunately, so many national leaders started paranoia against journalists," said Christoph Delors, Secretary General of RSF.

There is a general atmosphere of fear, increasing hatred of the debate and pluralism, as well as tightening the screws in the media sphere. Governments are arranging more stringent laws.

The situation in the former Soviet Union is more and more catastrophic. Two thirds of the countries in this region are located in the area of the 150th line of press freedom index and the indicators continue to deteriorate. Russia is at the 148th place against the backdrop of censorship and persecution of all who dare to criticize the current government. This reached unprecedented proportions, which Russia did not know in the past three decades.

   Of the former Soviet republics Tajikistan dropped (the 150th line, -34 points). Under the pretext of "combating terrorism" President Rahmon thwarts any criticism in his address and is actively strengthening his position as the sole ruler.

Permanent despots are Uzbekistan (162nd line), Kazakhstan (160th) and Turkmenistan (178th), Azerbaijan (163rd) and Belarus (157th) have long been devoted to the hobby of clutching at imaginary threats and boasting the presence of stability, in order to justify their own power. For these regimes it is not enough that they have long stifled any expression of discontent: they clamp down on bloggers and arrange merciless persecution of the remaining independent journalists.

Ukraine has risen by 22 lines and occupies the 107th position, enjoying the first results of the long-awaited reforms, and gradual reduction of the wave of violence.

Little has changed for a handful of leaders in the region: Georgia (64th position), Armenia (74th), Moldova (76th) and Kyrgyzstan (85th). Despite the dissimilarity of situations in these countries and the common challenges, they have little independent media and strong polarization.

Turkey, staying in the penultimate place in the region (151st) is also included in the unstable period on the background of the Syrian conflict and the resumption of conflict with the Kurdistan Workers' Party. President Erdogan's authoritarian manners and general paranoia of the authorities only deepen the conflict in the already fragmented society.

* Published annually since the 2002, Press Freedom Index reflects the situation of press freedom and pluralism based on the evaluation, the independence of the media, as the law and protection of journalists in 180 countries. The results are obtained based on analysis of the responses to the questionnaire, translated into 20 languages, which is filled by experts from around the world.

Press Freedom Index is not an indicator of the quality of journalism.    -02D-